tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948Tue, 31 Mar 2015 03:24:07 +0000The Lu Lac Political LetterRated one of Pennsylvania's top blog/sites, the LuLac Political Letter delves into issues of politics on all levels (with special concentration on Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties: thus the name LULAC) and pop culture.
The LuLac Political Letter was also named Best Political Blog of the Year for 2014 by NEPA BLOGCON. http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)Blogger2891125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-2836113176478679101Tue, 31 Mar 2015 01:09:00 +00002015-03-30T21:09:09.525-04:00The LuLac Edition #2866, March 30th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MIKE “NO SENSE” PENCE</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b><b>So did you see Governor Mike Pence on ABC’s This Week? The Governor was asked a question over and over again by the host George Stephanopoulos ... about the recent bill passed by the Hoosier legislature that in effect legalizes discrimination in that state under the guide of religious freedom. </b><br /><b>Pence went off on a rant about how the Internet was ganging up on his state of kind, friendly and tolerant people. He even insulted Stephanopoulos by referring to the passage of a bill in 1993 that was signed by President Bill Clinton. The host was a top aide to Clinton then and surely knew the score on that bill. But Pence refused to say he would add an addendum that would ensure gays would not be discriminated by business. Take a look at this. </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0-9vsSi9RkY" width="560"></iframe><br /><b>Look, there are plenty of people in Pennsylvania that would welcome the NCAA, Angie’s list and every other company there that wants to move. In Pennsylvania we have friendly and kind people…….in need of work. And we don’t have Governors (I’m including both Mr. Corbett and Mr. Wolf) who go on national TV and try to bullshit their way out of this. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">WARNING </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE FOLLOWING VIDEO MAY CONTAIN CONTENT THAT MIGHT BE OBJECTIONABLE TO SOME PEOPLE. </span></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cUA9m-g12ag" width="560"></iframe>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2866-march-30th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-3766804373163067729Mon, 30 Mar 2015 02:02:00 +00002015-03-29T22:02:01.851-04:00The LuLac Edition #2865, March 29th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>OWEN COSTELLO DEAD @ 69</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tJq6ucg4AK4/VRit41XPpuI/AAAAAAAAWMI/Ux_44NV1-Ug/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tJq6ucg4AK4/VRit41XPpuI/AAAAAAAAWMI/Ux_44NV1-Ug/s1600/untitled.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Owen Costello. <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo: The Times Leader). </span></span></b></div><b>A man who was a true booster of the city of Wilkes Barre for many years and a champion of youth sports, Owen Costello died Saturday at the age of 69. Costello for decades was head of the Wilkes Barre Recreation Board and later transitioned that experience into a position with the Keystone State Games.&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LctzTqF4kRQ/VRiuBKVnXuI/AAAAAAAAWMQ/o4IRlIq4Xb4/s1600/ksg_image_2014_alter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LctzTqF4kRQ/VRiuBKVnXuI/AAAAAAAAWMQ/o4IRlIq4Xb4/s1600/ksg_image_2014_alter.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div><b>As head of that organization, Costello brought many visitors into the city and county when the Games were held here. Later on Costello served for 16 years on the Wilkes Barre Area School Board. He never failed to win a double nomination in any of his races. </b><br /><b>Costello touched many lives of young people who worked in recreation. When I was at King’s, it was not uncommon for many of my fellow students to beam with pride when they told me they “got the call from Mr. Costello” to work at the parks for the City. </b><br /><b>On a personal note, I saw him at many family functions since his cousin married my sister. Our exchanges were always pleasant but punctuated by his wry sense of humor. His death comes as a shock to many. It goes without saying that he will be missed. </b>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2865-march-29th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-8217204491115948Sat, 28 Mar 2015 23:38:00 +00002015-03-28T19:44:08.783-04:00The LuLac Edition #2864, March 28th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE EEE-LEK-SHUN </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXF1ZQwjJEA/VRc1XoUjnLI/AAAAAAAAWLU/KPy_cJVJT5k/s1600/keep-calm-and-vote-for-me-173.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXF1ZQwjJEA/VRc1XoUjnLI/AAAAAAAAWLU/KPy_cJVJT5k/s1600/keep-calm-and-vote-for-me-173.png" height="320" width="274" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">MAYBE!!!!!!!!!</span></span></b></div><b>Seems that the Bureau of Elections Board is saying that the Lu is not prepared to hold an election come this Primary. Wow. We have been the most political land since, well since elections began. And the County Board says we’re not prepared. That’s like an Executioner during the French Revolution without a guillotine. That’s like a butcher without a cleaver. That’s like Ed Sullivan without The Beatles. That’s like….well you get the picture. </b><br /><b>Election Board Chair Jeremy Packard and his team wrote a letter to the County Council saying that small staff may affect this primary election. <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>“We, the Election Board of Luzerne County, cannot vouch for the election bureau’s readiness and ability to mount a May primary without the danger of serious errors” </i></span>was the salvo sent to the County administration. In addition to contacting the locals, the board also fired off a missive to the State Attorney General’s office saying that the recently resigned director was promised a deputy and more staff. Marisa Crispell left her $50,000 a year job because of the workload. County Administrative Services Division Head David Parsnik (who prior to this job was a facilities manager at Sodexo) told the Times Leader that he was disappointed with the Election Board and that they were trying to stir the pot.&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGpCqYW04wo/VRc1_QoRYKI/AAAAAAAAWLc/p1JrK_ke3yU/s1600/alfred_e_neuman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGpCqYW04wo/VRc1_QoRYKI/AAAAAAAAWLc/p1JrK_ke3yU/s1600/alfred_e_neuman.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></b></div><b><b>Here’s the thing. While I think the Election Board has every right to express concern, did any of them make their case at the Budget Allocation hearings? Or did they go through back channels and get denied? We are two months away from an election. We take these things seriously around here. What will be the impact if there is a repeat of 2013’s Council primary where Paul DeFabo (an Election Board member) narrowly won over Alex Milanes on the GOP side? Is the County prepared for something like that? &lt; <b>Only time will tell but in the meantime once more every voter and citizen must understand that layoffs and budget cuts have consequences. How this gets fixed and if Parsnik can handle this is still open to question. He does not have the experience of a Tom Pisano, the embattled Crispell or that fella who ran thngs without a hitch a few years back, Len "Country Gentleman by Force now" Piazza. JUdging from his comments in the newspaper, we should not worry. As they said in "Pulp Fiction", "We cool". Oh yeah?&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Once more the basics of Luzerne County government are found wanting. First it was the paycheck debacle, then the W2s, this is all basic stuff. But this is now commonplace in Luzerne County. Unlike the prior infractions, there are no low level employees to blame for this or fire. The Luzerne County Election Board consists of Chairman H. Jeremy Packard, Vice Chair Thomas Baldino and members John C. Ruckno, Gerald Hudak and Paul DeFabo. When you see them, thank them for the heads up. Even though it was late in coming.Then ask Parsnick how he's going to handle a sticky primary issue like a recount. And if you want to have a load of fun, ask Urban Senior what he thinks of Parsnick. The beat....goes on. </b><br /></b></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b><b><b><br /></b></b></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>DEMS ENDORSE FOR COUNTY COUNCIL</b></span></b></b></span></div><b><b><b><br /></b> <b>The Democratic Party’s Executive Committee in Luzerne County offered their endorsements for Luzerne County Council. The 46 members endorsed the following; Jane Walsh Waitkus, Dorrance Township, Tim McGinley, Kingston, Robert W. Schnee, Sugarloaf Township, John Gadomski, Wyoming, Anthony J. Rostock , Yatesville and John J. Pekarovsky, Larksville. So we have three known quantities and essentially three unknowns that your average voter hasn’t even heard of. Waitkus and Rostock have run for offices before and McGinley is running for a second term on Council. Left off the list were Bob Altavilla, Steve Urban Senior and Edd Brominski. Altavilla had competition from people who wanted more of a union representation on the ticket. Urban, well Urban is still regarded as a turncoat when he changed his registration from Republican to Democrat by some. His reputation as a habitual multi office candidate is nor well regarded by Democrats who like to see those slots filled by one of their own. So his rejection comes as no surprise. What was a surprise, a shock to many was the non endorsement of current Vice Chair Edd Brominski. </b><br /><b>It is indicative that the new Democrats decided not to back Brominski. One might even say that this is disrespectful to a party member who put his time in through the years and who has been extremely active on the Council. There are others who are wondering if the party wants to control council or not. Or maybe because there was such a weak slate put up by the GOP (they only filled four of the seats) the party felt they didn’t need the Brominski name and persona. </b><br /><b>Whatever the reason, it is my feeling that Christmas came the day before Palm Sunday at the Brominski household. Sure there are going to be some people voting for the full slate because they are the same people who do what they are told. But there are independent Democrats that are going to look at a Brominski and remember the name. They are anti Lawton people there that will surely vote for Brominski. Plus there will be more passive Democrats who will vote for Brominski just because he is a well known name. There will be voters who will vote for him because of his “don’t take any prisoners” approach to the new form of government. Brominski has been very clear on what is obvious, that government builds confidence by taking care of the basics. Plus, when he campaigns, Brominski can assuredly beat his chest and point to his own independence. That factor combined with the fact that endorsements don’t mean much anymore bodes well for Mr. Brominski as well as Mr. Urban and not so well for a Pekarovsky, or Gadomski. </b><br /><b>My prediction still stands for the General, County Council members McGinley, Urban and Brominski return along with newcomers Waitkus, and Rostock. If Schnee pulls a big vote out of Hazleton with Party Chair Mike DeCosmo’s ties, it’s all over for the other three. </b><br /><b>But hey given the top story on today’s blog, let’s hope we have an election. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /></b></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GILBERT PARTY A SUCCESS</b></span></span></b></b></div><b><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8ZUNKh2is0/VRc3dPAj94I/AAAAAAAAWLs/fLpRfIlhrm8/s1600/DSC_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8ZUNKh2is0/VRc3dPAj94I/AAAAAAAAWLs/fLpRfIlhrm8/s1600/DSC_1084.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Beth Gilbert greets one of many supporters out at McCarthy's Wednesday night in support of her candidacy. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo:</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"> Patrick Walther, The Beacon, Wilkes College). </span></span></b></div><b>Wilkes Barre City Council District C candidate Beth Gilbert had a very good turnout the other evening at Jim McCarthy’s Tavern On the Hill. You can bet the spirit of the former Wilkes Barre Councilman and CBS reporter was lurking and smiling with all those politicos and young people around. </b><br /><b>Gilbert had a good turnout and has impressed many of the old pros on the campaign trail. Check out her Face book page and see what she’s up to. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BethGilbertWB">https://www.facebook.com/BethGilbertWB</a></b><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SHUBILLA EVENT </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tom Shubilla has an event coming up on April the 13th at the River Grille. Here’s his Facebook link and check out what he’s doing. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thomas.shubilla">https://www.facebook.com/thomas.shubilla</a></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nMqoOtGjZPI/VRc3_1AQceI/AAAAAAAAWL0/PMuOr5WOWuY/s1600/shubilla%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nMqoOtGjZPI/VRc3_1AQceI/AAAAAAAAWL0/PMuOr5WOWuY/s1600/shubilla%2B001.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></b></b>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2863-march-28th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-5177172963584025258Fri, 27 Mar 2015 01:29:00 +00002015-03-27T17:29:50.059-04:00The LuLac Edition #2863, March 26th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>INSIDE THE FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL POLL</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>This week The Franklin and Marshall Poll came out giving out marks to the Wolf administration. Let me capsulate some of the high points and give you my take on this. </b><br /><b>More voters (39%) believe the state is headed in the right direction than at any time since January 2010, while forty-seven percent feel it is off on the wrong track.</b><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>•This is a clear reflection of a new administration with Tom Wolf at the helm. While 39 per cent vs. 47 is not great, it is heading at least for the Governor in the right direction. Don’t forget, Tom Corbett got over 45% and that wrong track number can come from that factor. </i></b></span><br /><b>Nearly two in five (38%) registered Pennsylvania voters believes Governor Wolf is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as governor -- more than three in five (58%) Democrats rate his performance as “excellent” or “good.</b><br /><b><span style="color: blue;"><i>•The base is sticking with him and now Wolf needs to bring in the other segments of the state with a strong performance. He has a launching pad to expand on the good will that is already out there. </i></span>Voters indicate their top priority for state government is an increase in funding for public education (27%) or local property tax reform (25%).</b><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>&nbsp;This will help Wolf hopefully broker a deal with the GOP controlled State Legislature. If the GOP does not go along with Property Tax Reform, Wolf can use the bully pulpit to sway public opinion. Most property owners are sick and tired of carrying the burden for education. This administration, especially toward the budget deadline has to make that point over and over again. </i></b></span><br /><b>A majority of state voters support the Governor’s budget plan (59%) – increasing the sales and personal income taxes and creating a Marcellus Shale extraction tax to reduce local property taxes and increase funding to public schools.</b><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>•Interesting. That a plurality want an increase in taxes. But taxation that is fair and evened out. No special deals for the rich or the poor. The poll reflects that everyone wants skin in the game. </i></b></span><br /><b>Senator Pat Toomey currently leads Democrat Joe Sestak by a five point margin, 34% to 29%, although most voters (37%) are still undecided about this race.</b><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>•Toomey is friendly and communicates very well. But Sestak has run before and in an election year where a democrat might have a good chance of carrying the Commonwealth as well as the exploitation of Toomey’s ridiculous participation in that letter to Iran bodes well o the Democrats. </i></b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>TED CRUZ RUNS </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Texas Senator Ted Cruz announced that he will indeed run for President of the United States. Cruz made the announcement over social media the other day and at Liberty University. Cruz told us this was a Christian nation and that he wants to restore those principles. He said he wanted to make sure we live by the Constitution. Fair enough. But I see a major discrepancy here. Nowhere in the Constitution that Cruz venerates so much is a mention of any religion. You don’t see any references to this governing document. So is he saying that only Christians need apply? </b><br /><b>The Senator also shared the fact that he wants to shred every word of the Affordable Care Act. Everyone of it, even the stuff that Republicans, Christians and everybody else is using. Cruz’ own family has gone on the Obama sponsored exchange. So how can he say these things and expect people to take him seriously? </b><br /><b>I don’t know but you can bet I’ll be supporting this guy BIG TIME. If Cruz is the nominee, there will be a Democratic President long after I’ve gone off this mortal coil. Go Cruz. Here’s a great campaign song too! </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8L6KGuTr9TI" width="420"></iframe><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HAD TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><b>From Overpasses for Americans</b></span></span></div><b>A group of American patriots greeted Luis Gutierrez with chants of USA! USA! USA! at a conference held at USC.</b><br /><b>Despite being held in the United States of America, the event was in Spanish, with headphones for the majority English-only audience.</b><br /><b>Eventually the event organizers, frustrated at the constant pro-America chants, called local law enforcement in a vain attempt to stop free speech.</b><br /><b>The American patriots in the video should be an example to us all, for they are following the example of our Founding Fathers and speaking out without fear or shame against injustices happening in this nation.</b><br /><b>Enjoy the video and share it everywhere you can. With luck, it will inspire more Americans to stand up for this nation.</b><br /><b>Thanks to all those in the video, millions of us now wish we’d been there with you!</b><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>Jesus, I’m glad these people weren’t around when my grandparents were speaking Slovak. </b></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gGpVnzOAq9w" width="560"></iframe> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BERGDAHL CHARGED </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>The Army sergeant who abandoned his post in Afghanistan and was held captive by the Taliban could face up to life in prison if convicted of both the charges he's facing, military officials said Wednesday.</b><br /><b>Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was charged with misbehavior before the enemy, which carries a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. He was also charged with desertion, which carries a maximum of five years.</b><br /><b>Bergdahl could also face a dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank and forfeiture of all his pay if convicted. (AOL).</b><br /><b>It is mystifying to me why the Obama administration celebrated this guy’s release. I wonder if they really knew the extent of his case file before they did so. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="color: #990000;"><b>CONGRESSMEN CARTWRIGHT AND COHEN RE-INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO CAP EXCESSIVE INTEREST &amp; FEES; CRACK DOWN ON PREDATORY LENDING</b></span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxlCnrwyeSM/VRSvu0XOCxI/AAAAAAAAWKk/hvqyj_EU1TU/s1600/cartwright%2Bon%2Btv%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxlCnrwyeSM/VRSvu0XOCxI/AAAAAAAAWKk/hvqyj_EU1TU/s1600/cartwright%2Bon%2Btv%2B.png" height="246" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Congressman Matt Cartwright.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"> (Photo: LuLac archives). </span></span></b></div><b>U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwright (PA-17) and Steve Cohen (TN-9) re-introduced the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act, legislation that would enact a cap on reform fees and rates associated with consumer credit products, including short-term and long-term payday loans and car title loans. </b><br /><b>U.S. Senate Assistant Minority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. </b><br /><b>Predatory lending – defined by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as the practice of “imposing unfair and abusive loan terms on borrowers” – extracts approximately $27 billion in excessive fees and interest from 12 million Americans each year due to excessive rates which can top 300 percent, according to the Center for Responsible Lending. Pennsylvania prohibits payday loan storefronts and is one of the few states to prohibit excessive rates. The state Supreme Court upheld this cap in 2010, though there have been recent efforts by certain state legislators and the payday loan industry to weaken the state law. </b><br /><b>“Pennsylvania recognizes that predatory lending disproportionately harms economically disadvantaged individuals – people who are already struggling financially,” said Rep. Cartwright. “My consumer-friendly legislation would provide relief from exorbitant fees for many low-income consumers across the country. Capping interest rates and fees for all consumers will not only protect working families but also enable our economic recovery.”</b><br /><b>In 2006, Congress enacted a federal 36 percent annualized usury cap for certain credit products marketed to service members and their families. This bill would extend that maximum cap of 36 percent to all consumer credit transactions for all consumers. The federal cap would not preempt stricter state laws. The bill would also encourage the creation of responsible alternatives to small dollar lending, by allowing initial application fees and for ongoing lender costs such as insufficient funds fees and late fees. To ensure compliance with the cap, the bill would create specific penalties for </b><br /><b>“Despite the economic gains we have made as a nation in recent years, many working families continue to struggle. For some, payday lenders offer a quick way to make ends meet, but often with devastating consequences,” said Senator Durbin. “With interest rates of two and three hundred percent of value of the loan, these excessive rates and hidden fees have crippling effects on those who can afford it least. Capping interest rates and fees for consumers will help protect working families from these predatory lending practices—it’s the right thing to do.”</b><br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MEDIA MATTERS</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUNDAY MAGAZINE </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>This Week on Sunday Magazine</b><br /><b>Brian Hughes speaks with Mike Butler, Executive Director for Consumer Energy Alliance, Mid Atlantic, who discusses STEM education and job opportunities in Pennsylvania's energy industry.</b><br /><b>Brian speaks with Father Gary and John Koytec about an Easter Egg Hunt fundraiser to benefit Tracey's Hope coming up on Sunday at St Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church in Pittston.</b><br /><b>And an encore of Brian's interview with Dr. Tracey Wilen, who discusses why 2015 is the year of "Women Up", and marking March as Women's Month.</b><br /><b>Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X &amp; Sports Radio 590, WARM and 6:25am on Magic 93.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">ECTV</span> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cJjZtB62NNk/VRXLsVSC1hI/AAAAAAAAWK8/3vmMdksBzsk/s1600/EILEEN%2BWOELKERS%2BMILLER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cJjZtB62NNk/VRXLsVSC1hI/AAAAAAAAWK8/3vmMdksBzsk/s1600/EILEEN%2BWOELKERS%2BMILLER.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span><b>April is Distracted Driver's Month and ECTV Live hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender will take on the subject with a guest who knows all too much about the problem! </b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Eileen Woelkers Miller lost her son in an accident involving distracted driving. And, as you'll hear, it's not just about cell phone texting! ECTV Live is carried on Comcast cable </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>channel 19 in northeastern Pennsylvania (61 in a few communities) and can be seen during the noon, midnight hours throughout the week. Additional showings are offered at 6pm when Electric City Television's schedule allows.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Our guest is Jenny Blanchard from the Catherine McAuley Center. Jim Riley hosts Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on NEPA's Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River</b><br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUDDY RUMCHEK</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KAREL ON THE STREET</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><h2><b> </b> </h2><h2><b> </b> </h2><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME</b></span></span></h2></div><b><br /></b> <b>Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1965</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Diu19PVKcqY/VRSvjqAMaEI/AAAAAAAAWKc/vpBoHO8aJNA/s1600/1965%2B22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Diu19PVKcqY/VRSvjqAMaEI/AAAAAAAAWKc/vpBoHO8aJNA/s1600/1965%2B22.jpg" height="80" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our 1965 logo. </b></div><b><br /></b> <b>Fifty years ago this week, March 23rd as a matter of fact, the United States took a major leap into space exploration. Gemini III blasted off for a three orbit flight. The astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young were the first U.S. duo to go into space.&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKc4rzAn9I4/VRSvTPhRpdI/AAAAAAAAWKU/3ZXUgD364fQ/s1600/Gemini_3_training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKc4rzAn9I4/VRSvTPhRpdI/AAAAAAAAWKU/3ZXUgD364fQ/s1600/Gemini_3_training.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></div><b>The spacecraft, nicknamed The Unsinkable Molly Brown, performed the seventh manned US spaceflight, and the 17th manned spaceflight overall (including X-15 flights over 100 kilometers). It was also the final manned flight controlled from Cape Canaveral, Florida before mission control functions were shifted to the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas.</b><br /><b>Grissom the second American in space replaced the Alan Shepherd who was grounded with an ear infection. The support crew included Gordon Cooper as well as Roger Chaffee who was killed with Grissom in 1967 during the ill fated Apollo One practice drill. Grissom, hoping to avoid duplication of the experience with his Mercury flight Liberty Bell 7 in which the capsule sank after splashdown, named the Gemini 3 spacecraft Molly Brown, in a playful reference to the Broadway musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown. NASA management did not like this name, and asked him to change it. Grissom replied, "How about the Titanic?". The managers relented and allowed Grissom to keep Molly Brown, but this was the last Gemini flight they allowed the astronauts to name. The only major incident during the orbital phase involved a contraband corned beef sandwich that Young had smuggled on board, hiding it in a pocket of his spacesuit (though Director of Flight Crew Operations Deke Slayton wrote in his autobiography that he gave Young permission to do so). Grissom found this to be highly amusing, saying later, "After the flight our superiors at NASA let us know in no uncertain terms that non-man-rated corned beef sandwiches were out for future space missions. But John's deadpan offer of this strictly non-regulation goodie remains one of the highlights of our flight for me." The crewmen each took a few bites before the sandwich was restowed. The crumbs it released could have wreaked havoc with the craft's electronics, so the crewmen were reprimanded when they returned to Earth. </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BqBgDsa9yUk" width="560"></iframe><br /><b>Young became the most traveled man in space and enjoyed the longest career of any astronaut, becoming the first person to make six space flights over the course of 42 years of active NASA service, and is the only person to have piloted, and been commander of, four different classes of spacecraft: Gemini, the Apollo Command/Service Module, the Apollo Lunar Module, and the Space Shuttle. The USS Intrepid recovered the craft and crew. The Gemini III mission was supported by 10,185 personnel, 126 aircraft and 27 ships. The mission duration was four hours and 52 minutes. It flew 80,000 miles..in Pennsylvania Senator Hugh Scott indicated he would work with President Johnson in getting a Voting Rights Act signed. Scott supported the 1964 version…in Luzerne County, reassessment of properties continues and 50 years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “King of the Road” by Roger Miller. </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OmOe27SJ3Yc" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2863-march-26th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-2681792605125062878Wed, 25 Mar 2015 22:14:00 +00002015-03-25T18:42:18.951-04:00The LuLac Edition #2862, March 25th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WRITE ON WEDNESDAY </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbzgy0ymlDQ/VRMy8LRnM4I/AAAAAAAAWKA/IYYoaMWroyI/s1600/WRITE%2BON%2BWEDNESDAY%2BLOGO%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbzgy0ymlDQ/VRMy8LRnM4I/AAAAAAAAWKA/IYYoaMWroyI/s1600/WRITE%2BON%2BWEDNESDAY%2BLOGO%2B001.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our “Write On Wednesday” logo </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcLHbWdv0R8/VRMyvT3JRLI/AAAAAAAAWJ4/mfKxJkBD4eo/s1600/255e24b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcLHbWdv0R8/VRMyvT3JRLI/AAAAAAAAWJ4/mfKxJkBD4eo/s1600/255e24b.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>GOP Rising star Marcel Lisi. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Times Tribune). </span></span></b></div><b>During the 2014 campaign, one of the newest rising stars in the Lackawanna County Republican party made quite an impression. Whether it was at Public Forums or on broadcast appearances, Marcel Lisi made an impression. Lisi ran against Marty Flynn in the 113th Legislative race. This week we feature a Letter to the Editor he wrote regarding the lack of a minority commissioner in the Lac. </b><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>No matter how often Lackawanna County Commissioner Pat O’Malley flips, he flops</b></span></h3><i><b>It is my opinion that Lackawanna County now has absolutely no Republican representation.</b></i><br /><i><b>I am very disappointed in the choices that Pat O’Malley (D, R, D) has made for both himself and the Lackawanna County Republican Party.</b></i><br /><i><b>It was only several weeks ago that Pat came before me and the other members of the Lackawanna County Republican Executive Committee to reaffirm himself as a Republican and embrace the GOP’s values and policies. During his presentation before us, Pat sought our endorsement (which he did not receive), support and a potential Republican running mate for the 2015 commissioner’s race. He even mentioned my name and the hard work that I had done in the past for the party.</b></i><br /><i><b>I sat directly in front of Pat when he lied to me. Pat O’Malley has contributed very little to Lackawanna County as a commissioner, regardless of what his party affiliation might be these days. Whether Republican or Democrat, Pat is completely unfit to move Lackawanna County forward. His experience as a professional politician severely negates his credentials as an honest leader.</b></i><br /><i><b>My only advice to now-Democratic Commissioner Pat O’Malley is this: History repeats itself, and former Republicans turned Democrats Jimmy Connors and Arlen Specter learned that the hard way.</b></i><br /><b>Marcel Lisi&nbsp; </b><i><b><br /></b></i><br /><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2862-march-25th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-5998872779771520071Wed, 25 Mar 2015 01:41:00 +00002015-03-24T22:07:09.120-04:00The LuLac Edition #2861, March 24th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>OVERINDULGENCE PART 2</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>The Times Leader recently had a poll that voted Timbers Buffet at Mohegan Sun the Best Buffet in the area. Okay, the problem here is that this buffet in my opinion is low grade food. Plentiful but not terribly nutritious. </b><br /><b>Our region gets excited by chains and big meals for low prices. But local eateries have to rely on loyal consumers. There are some class places to eat like Pazzo that promotes quality over quantity. One must make the decision if they want food that will be an experience or just a feeding trough.</b><br /><b>Ever see people at a buffet? Very little conversation. A lot of masticating</b><br /><b>though. </b><br /><b>In terms of a buffet, I'd rather go to a local hotel like the Woods, the Radisson or Genetti's than the Mohegan stampede. Wonder why outsiders look at us with amusement and wonder? Look at the poll. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WARDLE UP AND RUNNING</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kZDCYcHkcM/VRIPEx_U2zI/AAAAAAAAWJc/G8rlGmOXAYo/s1600/10968498_815444861866803_97012108419759568_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kZDCYcHkcM/VRIPEx_U2zI/AAAAAAAAWJc/G8rlGmOXAYo/s1600/10968498_815444861866803_97012108419759568_n.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5IAVddo3epw/VRIPIbLZz-I/AAAAAAAAWJk/Ksxc1B6JHfc/s1600/10983412_818904661520823_6347861677436081385_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5IAVddo3epw/VRIPIbLZz-I/AAAAAAAAWJk/Ksxc1B6JHfc/s1600/10983412_818904661520823_6347861677436081385_n.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div><b>Tom Wardle is making the rounds in Plains and Laflin in an attempt to become the new magistrate in that 11-03-08 district. </b><br /><b>Check out Wardle's Facebook page <a href="http://wardleforjudge.com/">https://www.facebook.com/wardleforjudge </a>and website <a href="http://wardleforjudge.com/">http://wardleforjudge.com/ </a>to get a look at the candidate who has set himself apart from the others in this race. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>&nbsp;ASS BACKWARDS IN THE LAC</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>So the County puts outs a mailing and touts winter sports in their newsletter. Great but don 't send it out in March. That said, maybe they were playing to the 2% of people in this area who as spring approaches long for those good old days of snow, wind chills and sleet. But the boys do take a nice picture, heynuh or no?&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ8FZJw3_cY/VRIOzgLCmpI/AAAAAAAAWJU/jTrXFUJaEgk/s1600/10624954_10155356968060075_749561992559519917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ8FZJw3_cY/VRIOzgLCmpI/AAAAAAAAWJU/jTrXFUJaEgk/s1600/10624954_10155356968060075_749561992559519917_n.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hit it ladies!&nbsp; </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A-ohuC3k9I0" width="560"></iframe><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>JOE SHAVER, DEPUTY CORONER</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Joseph Shaver saw his fair share of madness and mayhem as the Chief Deputy Coroner for Luzerne County. Shaver was on the scene of many a crime scene in this area and was always regarded as a reliable witness in major cases. </b><br /><b>Joe was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps from 1957 to 1963. During that time, he served in several West German hospitals as an X-ray, laboratory and surgical technician from 1957 to 1959. He also served at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas Medical Facility, from 1961 to 1962 during the Berlin Crisis.</b><br /><b>Joe also served as deputy coroner of Luzerne County from 1963 to 1969. On Nov. 1, 1969, he was appointed chief deputy coroner, overseeing up to 50 deputy coroners throughout Luzerne County. He remained in this position for 32 years until his retirement in 2001. He died this week at the age of 82 and is well remembered and well regarded. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Partial: Times Leader). </span></span></b><br /><b><br /></b> http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2861-march-24th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-3767615810780819958Mon, 23 Mar 2015 03:20:00 +00002015-03-22T23:23:01.451-04:00The LuLac Edition #2860, March 22nd, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A WORD ABOUT <i>OVER</i>INDULGENCE </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b><b>This week some on line credit company, Badcfredit.org rated Wilkes Barre/Scranton aka NEPA as the fourth most indulgent area in the nation. They cited the fact that we are overweight, in debt, drink too much and smoke. I’m sure you have your opinion and have heard a plethora of others. Here’s mine. </b><br /><b>I think the word overindulged is just plain wrong. When I think overindulgent, I think of “Dynasty” and “Dallas”. I think of car elevators. I think of the 1 per cent spending a million dollars on a Sweet 16 birthday party. I think of the freaking Kardashians. When it comes to LuLac land, we are anything BUT indulgent! </b><br /><b>The very word and study implies that we have money to burn. Just the opposite. We have poverty wages in most of our jobs and those who have the “better” jobs are connected. This is an area that is hard scrabble and not indulgent. </b><br /><b>Let’s take them one by one: </b><br /><b>Obesity: There are those who just like to eat. Then there are others who battle weight all their lives riding that escalator of fit to fat and then back up and down again. But the truly obese are those who are poor and can’t give themselves the food choices that are healthy and they need. A Sure Fine Soda is cheaper than a Vegetable Juice. </b><br /><b>Tobacco: The rate is decreasing but people still smoke. I attribute that to bad habits, your family situation and stress. Stress because you are too fat, behind on your bills and drink too much.Or you just like to smoke. I love the smell of burning tobacco but think lighting up is just too much work. </b><br /><b>Alcohol: From the time this region came to be, there was a bar on every corner. Drinking is ceremonial here. Competing brands, bars and businesses promote tossing back a few. In this area we celebrate just about anything with a drink. Hell, you can’t even go to concert and sit your ass down for a two hour event without buying a ten dollar beer. That’s not indulgent, that’s either stupid or additive </b><br /><b>Bad credit: Most of the people that I know who carry credit card debt are people who use their credit cards as a way of keeping afloat. The wages are so pathetic here that most people use credit cards for food and other necessities. Living paycheck to paycheck, most people have to use credit cards for eyeglasses, dental emergencies and even medical expenses. I’m sure if badcfedit.org looked further and saw the underlying expenses or reasons of the debt, there wouldn’t be trips to Jamaica, Europe or a shopping spree at Nordstrom’s on the monthly statement. </b><br /><b>I really think this study is superficial. You have to look under the surface. But why we seem to go overboard is not because we are overindulgent. We do this because in most cases it is all we have to aspire to. If there were viable Chamber of Commerces who did their jobs and brought in pay scales that were comparable to other areas, maybe we wouldn’t be flipping over beers and hot dogs that makes us lose control. </b><br /><b>Maybe we’d have something more than reaching for that little slice of heaven with a beer, fatty foods and a smoke. We might do these to excess but we are nowhere near overindulgent. </b><br /><b>Excuse me now while I put away the fine china, get into my Porche and pick up my nephew coming in from Harvard for spring break! After that, I’m taking my overindulgent ass to France for a thirty day vacation. But let me know how Lawton makes out, heyna???</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SHUBILLA EVENT</span></span> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C68qsKkCEn8/VQ-Ez5ngxkI/AAAAAAAAWIw/jmvL4Y_T3j4/s1600/shubilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C68qsKkCEn8/VQ-Ez5ngxkI/AAAAAAAAWIw/jmvL4Y_T3j4/s1600/shubilla.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Plains Township Commissioner Tom Shubilla. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Shubilla campaign). </span></span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3umwV9Otct4/VQ-E_m7weOI/AAAAAAAAWI4/ZhrIGW8RT8k/s1600/shubilla%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3umwV9Otct4/VQ-E_m7weOI/AAAAAAAAWI4/ZhrIGW8RT8k/s1600/shubilla%2B001.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2860-march-22nd-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-3550018697557341254Sat, 21 Mar 2015 21:02:00 +00002015-03-21T17:04:59.218-04:00The LuLac Edition #2859, March 21st, 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2hDZfdIhvQ/VQ3csr9ncAI/AAAAAAAAWIc/qWQ-nOCN3ww/s1600/11070007_10152681726571727_977532250837658425_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2hDZfdIhvQ/VQ3csr9ncAI/AAAAAAAAWIc/qWQ-nOCN3ww/s1600/11070007_10152681726571727_977532250837658425_n.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>RED MILL, 340 S.</b></span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MAIN ST. PITTSTON 6pm to ?&nbsp;</b></span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">ALL CANDIDATES WELCOME</span> </b></span></span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EARLY D.J. POLITICAL TV BLITZ </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DnFBbobDiD4/VQ3ZW1pc48I/AAAAAAAAWHs/vLLZudMYBTs/s1600/robes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DnFBbobDiD4/VQ3ZW1pc48I/AAAAAAAAWHs/vLLZudMYBTs/s1600/robes.jpg" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>No it’s not Tom Wolf taking ads out this early. His race is won and done. But a Magisterial District candidate is firing heavy artillery already in his race to succeed a Lackawanna County sitting Judge. James Gibbon was elected to the Court of Common Pleas two years ago. Now there is a race to succeed him as the District Magistrate. The District includes the municipalities of La Plume, Newton, Ransom, Waverly, Glenburn, </b><br /><b>North, West and South Abington townships, Dalton, Clarks Summit, and Clarks Green. </b><br /><b>Malcolm L. MacGregor has been advertising heavily this week touting his experience as well as his community association. But in my opinion, in the ad there is a strange phrase involving bringing 25 years of good parenting experience to the job. I understand that a Magistrate has to deal with civil issues as well as juveniles. If one has navigated the challenges of parenting in this day and age and has survived without an arrest or a few trips to the principal’s office, they are fortunate and skilled. But it still struck me as odd. </b><br /><b>Are we implying that people without children can’t bring the same skills of understanding to the job? Or teachers who never marred or are single? I just think the phrase which for all we know just could have been a throwaway line to add one more thing to the ad is out of sync. Is the candidate saying that other candidates aren’t better parents? One thing the ad did though was made me notice the it and write about it. So I guess that worked from that standpoint. But if you see Mama Duggars running for Magistrate somewhere in the U.S. you’ll know why. </b><br /><b>MacGregor is being opposed by Grace Doherty Hillebrand who speaking of family and parenting has a lineage of her own. Her uncle is former Mayor Chris Doherty, her grandfather was the venerable James Doherty Senior who served on City Council in the 60s and 70s in Scranton (when the Scranton City Council meetings were the original TV reality show on WDAU) and her father is Attorney Jim Doherty Junior. </b><br /><b>The other candidates are Assistant DA Attorney Michael R. Goffer , Attorney Paul Keeler and Police Officer Eric Judge. If I were Judge, I’d run on being the only candidate not connected to the Democratic party power structure. The others have connections to both the Nealon and Casey families in Scranton. Plus there is the Doherty name. Will Judge benefit from split allegiances? We shall see. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WILL NOVEMBRINO PREVAIL? </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVb0QUNSPwg/VQ3ZjYkCwQI/AAAAAAAAWH0/_m34vvOBXpQ/s1600/3948211569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVb0QUNSPwg/VQ3ZjYkCwQI/AAAAAAAAWH0/_m34vvOBXpQ/s1600/3948211569.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Scranton City Controller Roseann Novembrino.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"> (Photo: Times Tribune). </span></span></b></div><b>The race for Scranton City Controller might be interesting. Roseann Novembrino has been in that job since the death of her late husband Richard. Novembrino is going for her eighth term. If elected she will have served more than 3 decades in that job. It has been a while since there were challengers to this job. Will Scranton voters decide that maybe someone new should step in? School board member Kyle Donahue and Sean McAndrew are taking on the long time incumbent and will this be a cakewalk for the multi term Controller or a bit of a challenge? </b><br /><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HAGGERTY'S BACK </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOrGxoQ4h_Y/VQ3aFISUk0I/AAAAAAAAWH8/olHgDbERjes/s1600/haggerty%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOrGxoQ4h_Y/VQ3aFISUk0I/AAAAAAAAWH8/olHgDbERjes/s1600/haggerty%2B3.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Candidate for Judicial Records Kevin Haggerty. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: LuLac archives). </span></span></b></div><b>Former State Representative Kevin Haggerty was going to run for County Commissioner but decided to go for the Clerk Of Judicial Records job. </b><br /><b>He is being joined by 5 other candidates. Currently Haggerty has billboards across the city and the Lac. He does have name recognition. The others running are Scranton School Board members Bob Sheridan and Robert Casey, Tax Collector of Springbrook Township Mauri Kelly, Kim Yencho of Jefferson Township and Teresa Colarusso of Blakely. Haggerty has the best name recognition and Colarusso will have the best food at her evens. Other than that, I can’t really say much more. </b><br /><b>The office is being vacated by Mary F. Rinaldi who has held the offices for several terms. Prior to that, her late husband Bill Rinaldi held the post. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LAWTON’S JOB SEARCH </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRcRREJ9kuI/VQ3bTf2o7hI/AAAAAAAAWII/aYZ8fCOQ7E8/s1600/lawton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRcRREJ9kuI/VQ3bTf2o7hI/AAAAAAAAWII/aYZ8fCOQ7E8/s1600/lawton.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Luzerne County Manager Bob Lawton. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo; Standard Speaker.com). </span></span></b></div><b>Much has been made this week in Luzerne County about the news that County Manager Bob Lawton is looking elsewhere. Lawton has been in the job since the first Council took office in 2012. He has had a contentious tenure with some members of the Council and the Public. </b><br /><b>One of the byproducts of holding this position in such a political savvy area as Luzerne County is that you can’t make a move without anyone knowing it. This is America and Lawton should not be chastised for exploring other options. The Council should not go on a witch hunt either to get rid of the guy just because he is looking. Jesus, after these two winters who could blame him? But I do agree with Council Vice Chair Edd Brominski’s thoughts that there should be a contingency plan in place. Not necessarily a deputy but a list of competent managers who are LOCAL and who have done this on a city, and borough level before. One of these could run things before a new manager is hired. </b><br /><b>The experience of the Wilkes Barre City Charter should tell us that city and county managers are a lot like baseball field generals, some are hired to be fired. This should come as no surprise that Lawton is looking and anyone who says he is betraying the county is just being silly. </b><br /><b>. </b>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2859-march-21-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-6211106037553430265Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:46:00 +00002015-03-19T19:48:26.937-04:00The LuLac Edition #2858, March 19th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BIDEN COMES TO SCRANTON&nbsp;</b></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0wzei-gxQQ/VQtYABPeBnI/AAAAAAAAWG4/CD7oN5Kf2h8/s1600/11080933_10205952331705114_4289906107686224352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0wzei-gxQQ/VQtYABPeBnI/AAAAAAAAWG4/CD7oN5Kf2h8/s1600/11080933_10205952331705114_4289906107686224352_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>&nbsp;Vice President Biden chats with former Scranton Mayor Gene Peters. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Facebook).</span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Vice President Joe Biden came to the Scranton Tuesday and like the political athlete he is, the veteran politico touched every base. First he attended the Irish Women’s event at the Radisson. Reprising the appearance of his boss Barack Obama, Biden made his way through the crowd in the lobby greeting a throng who came out to see him. <br /><b>Later on he went to the other D.C., Dickson City up the line and gave a touching speech about his Scranton roots and his Irish heritage. By the time the Veep started to speak, the bow tie was slightly askew but that was just because of the massive groups of people trying to see him. There was speculation that Biden might make a significant announcement about his future at the dinner. That would have certainly put Scranton on the top of the newscasts Wednesday morning. But it was not to be. YET. </b><br /><b>Don’t be surprised if Joe Biden might be rethinking another Presidential run at this time. A few weeks back in a conversation with a very wise politico, he said Biden was running. I didn’t think so deep in my heart but now with an opening, you just never know. If the Clinton narrative continues to head south over trust, Biden might have an opportunity to snag the nomination. There are a few things working against him like the gaffes and age. But unlike Jim Webb, Martin O’Malley and Elizabeth Warren the country will know in spades what they are getting. Biden can keep the Obama coalition together and has been more aggressive in being inclusive than his boss. I don’t think it bothers Biden that people have been underestimating him this time around. It’s been that way since he began his political career in the late 60s. It might be a long shot but DO NOT bet against Biden.&nbsp;</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBsQC8sT7eI/VQtXl3LHbVI/AAAAAAAAWG0/2_ohobeaAus/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBsQC8sT7eI/VQtXl3LHbVI/AAAAAAAAWG0/2_ohobeaAus/s1600/image.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Two sons of Scranton, Senator Bob Casey and Vice President Biden. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Citizen’s Voice). </span></span></b></span></span></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IeJV9TemM1E/VQtXgXfBxhI/AAAAAAAAWGo/uCXokRHjDZQ/s1600/10653703_10205058586317301_6349542157023168725_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IeJV9TemM1E/VQtXgXfBxhI/AAAAAAAAWGo/uCXokRHjDZQ/s1600/10653703_10205058586317301_6349542157023168725_n.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Two Mayors of Scranton, and in fact a number 1 and number 2, Eugene Peters and his Deputy Mayor Jim McNulty. <span style="color: #741b47;">(Photo: Jim McNulty Facebook but I bet Joe Peters took the photo!)</span> </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><br /><h2><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></b></h2><h2><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></div></span></span></b></h2><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">AND IN PITTSTON AND WILKES BARRE</span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>More than 400 attended the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons Dinner at the Woodlands. Labor Leader John J. Dougherty was the main speaker, </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Monsignor John Bendik of St. John the Evangelist Church received the organization’s Achievement Award. Dr. John Callahan of Pittston received the Swingle Award and Thomas J. Reilly Sr. was named Man of the Year.</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Last Friday former Yankee Sparky Lyle spoke to the Wilkes Barre Friendly Sons wowing that group with baseball lore. There were more than 600 people at that dinner. So for three events more than 2500 people celebrated. Talk about economic growth in action. The Chambers of Commerce around here could learn a thing from The Friendly Sons.</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b> <br /></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LUZERNE COUNTY COUNCIL RACE</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>For a while there were reports that not many people were going to run for the race in Luzerne County for the Council seats. But right now there are 9 Democrats running for the 6 seats. Three Democrats Edward A. Brominski of Swoyersville, Tim McGinley of Kingston, and Stephen A. Urban of Wilkes-Barre are running. The first Chairman of the Council, Attorney Jim Bobeck has declined to seek another term. That is unfortunate because Bobeck has lent a great deal of logic and sanity to a very challenging start to a new government. In fact he should be applauded for taking the reigns of this new form of governance when it was in its infancy. There are others who would have crashed this thing into the ground, Bobeck did not. He also has elevated the debate on the new Council that was elected in 2013 and keeping it from loitering in the bottom of the garbage pail. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Rick Morelli has been an inspiration in terms of all the flack he has taken. The Democrats don’t like him, members of his own party have savaged him. He has taken considerable time away from his real job to get the Council moving and is to be commended for having an Iron Man’s constitution in dealing with all of this. Like Bobeck, he will be missed and both will go down as the perfect individuals to transition from Home Rule maybe to Home Ruler in action. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>The incumbents Edd Brominski, Stephen A. Urban and Tim McGinley bring a special skill set to their re-election bids. As former Commissioners Brominski and Urban can take a look back and continue to do a comparison and contrast if re-elected. McGinley who served as the second Chairman brings a plethora of experience that can give the Council an overview of what will work and won’t. McGinley also knows the social service system inside and out and can be a watchful eye on issues that can be controversial. With incumbency there are many strengths but one pitfall is that there might be a temptation to throw everyone out. I hope that will not be the case. For sure this has been a contentious council but to leave it rudderless would not be a good idea with new faces replacing seasoned veterans. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Other Democrats running are John J. Pekarovsky, Larksville, Anthony J. Rostock, Yatesville, Robert W. Schnee,, ugarloaf Township, Jane Walsh Waitkus, Dorrance Township, Robert J. Altavilla, Larksville, and John Gadomski, Wyoming. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Walsh Waitkus ran in 2011 and ran a very aggressive campaign focusing in on transparency. During that campaign she told the Times Leader she wanted people to grill her on the issues. Presumably she has seen the meetings and it is a favorable thing that she still wants to run again. Anthony Rostock has been active in Pittston Area politics, especially on the School Board and has been tinkering with the idea of a County run for some time. He might be able to garner the support afforded to Sal Licata in the ’11 election from the Third District. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Pekarovsky, and Altavilla, are both from Larksville and may split the vote in their town. Schnee and Gadomski might do well in their areas too but they will need to broaden their base to be successful. It is early but unless something incredible happens, the three incumbents Brominski, McGinley and Urban will win their nomination with Walsh Waitkus and Rostock, by virtue of their name recognition having more than a fighting chance. So that leaves one Democratic seat up for grabs among the remaining four candidates. Look for one or all of them to latch on to the coat tails of a more visible candidate. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>On the GOP Side, Marc Dixon of Mountain Top, Ray Gustave, of West Wyoming, Mark Rabo, of Hazleton and Stephen J. Urban, of Wilkes-Barre have filed. This is a no brainer because this party couldn’t even get a full slate. Urban Junior is well known and Gustave has run before. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Come November, here’s something you can take to the bank. The Urbans will win their seats so control of the council will be between the other 5 remaining Democrats and the other Republicans. Those odds aren’t bad for the Dems. But hey, it’s early.</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b> </span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>FRANK DUZEN </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>I knew the late Frank Duzen from my church, St. John the Baptist in Pittston. He was always a very friendly parishioner that we’d see at the 9:30AM Mass. Later on Duzen was the guy who helped cross people going to the Courthouse. He always had the combination of a smart remark and kind word for everyone in that building. He was 93, lived a great, long life and is remembered fondly and will be missed. </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NOTE TO CANDIDATES</b></span></span></b></span></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Send any information on events to LuLac via the e mail provided in the blog profile. If I don’t hear from you, don’t expect to see anything on the site. As much as I love this stuff, the Soup and Goldfish pay the bills. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NOTE TO POSTERS</b></span></span></b></span></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Please remember that anything you submit-including feedback, comments, suggestions and ideas is considered the property of LuLac and may be used for any purpose without the expectation of compensation. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION IN HHS FUNDS FOR SLDHA HEAD START PROGRAMS</b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzC1QmaKk6E/VQtW2jOU8AI/AAAAAAAAWGg/iy8reLO5Ch8/s1600/cartwright%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzC1QmaKk6E/VQtW2jOU8AI/AAAAAAAAWGg/iy8reLO5Ch8/s1600/cartwright%2B002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Congressman Matt Cartwright.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"> (Photo: LuLac archives).</span></span> </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Congressman Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a supplementary grant worth $3,592,980.00 to the Scranton/Lackawanna Human Development Agency (SLDHA). </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>The agency is an umbrella organization dedicated to serving the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals within Lackawanna and surrounding counties through a variety of programs.</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>The funds will be used for the agency’s various Head Start programs that provide Pre-K, Early Head Start, and Head Start programs for children throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>“SLDHA’s Head Start programs provide children in northeastern Pennsylvania access to a wide range of high-quality educational services. These federal funds are an investment in both our community and our children,” said Cartwright. “I am a proud proponent of Head Start; a great education starts with early childhood education and is vital to strengthening our economy and our country.”</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Head Start is a national program created in 1965 to address the educational and developmental needs of low-income, pre-school children. Head Start’s comprehensive service system provides social, nutritional, and educational services for thousands of children and their families across the United States.</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b> </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">HIRD DISTRICT GOP TO MEET </span></b></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Pat Marranca Third District Chair advises that the party group will be having their meetings every third Monday at the Dupont VFW, Main Street. Meetings begin at 7pm. The April meeting is set for the 20th. </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b><br /></b> </span></span><br /></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GILBERT MEET AND GREET</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zi700YNfa0M/VQtOxlQkmoI/AAAAAAAAWGQ/zY6t0hOdfKE/s1600/Beth3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zi700YNfa0M/VQtOxlQkmoI/AAAAAAAAWGQ/zY6t0hOdfKE/s1600/Beth3.jpg" height="320" width="294" /></a></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Council Candidate Beth Gilbert. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Gilbert campaign). </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Wilkes Barre City Council candidate in District C will hold a meet and greet March 25th from 7 to 9pm at Jim McCarthy’s Tavern On the Hill. The event will be on Wednesday night and feature the candidate interacting with people in the District. Admission is free but contributions I’m sure will be appreciated. </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b><br /></b> <br /></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><b>MEDIA MATTERS</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SUNDAY MAGAZINE </b></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This Week on Sunday Magazine</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Mike Zimmerman and Teddie Janisov from Family Service Association of Northeast Pa, about their benefit Gala, coming up in April.</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>An encore of Brian Hughes'interview with Dr. Matthew Budoff about heart health. Frankie speaks with Tom &amp; Noreen Clark from WNEP-TV about next weekend's "Bowl For Kids Sake" fundraiser to benefit Big Brothers</b></span></span></span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Big Sisters of Northeast Pa.</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And an encore of Brian's interview with Alyssa Maria from Home Instead Senior Care about senior safety.</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>97BHT, 6am on 97.9X &amp; Sports Radio 590, WARM and 6:25am on Magic 93.</b></span></span></span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></b></div></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b> </span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b> <br /></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ECTV </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JM7hEZCPQQU/VQtOkHCTnYI/AAAAAAAAWGI/klaiB2NeoZk/s1600/TOMMY%2BWELBY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JM7hEZCPQQU/VQtOkHCTnYI/AAAAAAAAWGI/klaiB2NeoZk/s1600/TOMMY%2BWELBY.jpg" /></a></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Thom Welby. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: ECTV)</span></span> </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Long time WNEP employee Tom Welby will join David DeCosmo and co-host Rusty Fender on ECTV Live during the week of March 23rd. Tom will be talking about plans for and the history of the popular "First Friday" events in Scranton. </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>ECTV Live is carried on the Comcast Cable system on Channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is presented several times each day throughout the week. The prime show times are during the Noon and Midnight hour each day with 6 pm screenings on selected dates. You can check the program schedule for all ECTV programs by searching ectv schedule on your computer. </b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This week's guest in Margo Azzarelli, author of "Lackawanna Chronicles", her fourth local history book. Jim Riley hosts Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Game Sports Radio Network 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red;">&nbsp;</span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><b>SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BUDDY RUMCHEK</b></span></span></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>KAREL ON THE STREET</b></span></span></b></span></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></b></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.</b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME</b></span></span></b></span></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Our 1965 logo. </b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tC3SlqG3m7M/VQtOZQZrfGI/AAAAAAAAWGA/Y7t8zrbWVdQ/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tC3SlqG3m7M/VQtOZQZrfGI/AAAAAAAAWGA/Y7t8zrbWVdQ/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" height="80" width="320" /></a></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1965</b></span></span></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> <b>Jeff Beck replaces Eric Clapton of the Yardbirds…….Israeli cabinet approves diplomatic relations with West Germany……………T.G.I. Friday's 1st restaurant opens in NYC…..Beatles announce their film is named "8 Arms to Hold on to You" (Help)…………. Cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov, leaving his spacecraft Voskhod 2 for 12 minutes, becomes the first person to walk in space. The USSR beats the U.S. by a few months in the race to walk in space….<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HnREkhEOKBE" width="560"></iframe><br />Nicolae Ceausescu is elected General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party…..27th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Michigan 91-80…in the Commonwealth, Walter Allesandroni the State Attorney General indicates he might want to run for Lt. Governor in 1966….and in Plains, preparations continue for the opening of the region's first racetrack, Pocono Downs..and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Can't You Hear My Heartbeat” by Herman's Hermits, a group that is part of the continuing British Invasion of rock and roll. </b></span></span></span></span></b></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wwHdJOo7bXk" width="420"></iframe><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2858-march-19th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-3108395851691417357Thu, 19 Mar 2015 00:39:00 +00002015-03-18T20:39:49.870-04:00The LuLac Edition #2857, March 18th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WRITE ON WEDNESDAY</b></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s2XneGEtkRo/VQoZ2xaUGTI/AAAAAAAAWFs/mgp8GAgGopk/s1600/WRITE%2BON%2BWEDNESDAY%2BLOGO%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s2XneGEtkRo/VQoZ2xaUGTI/AAAAAAAAWFs/mgp8GAgGopk/s1600/WRITE%2BON%2BWEDNESDAY%2BLOGO%2B001.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><b>Our "Write On Wednesday" logo. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE TREASONOUS 47 </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>INDICT THEM! </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Our friend Wil Toole penned one of his famous letters to the Editor this week and he graciously shared it with us. Wil and I disagree on the path to negotiations with Iran and their desire for atomic hardware. But we are in total agreement with the fact that what the 47 Senators did was beyond the pale. Here is his letter but first two videos crystallizing this really stupid effort. First Bob Schieffer's question to Senator Tom Cotton and then Secretary of State John Kerry's response to the controversy. </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/di3QeCTymFk" width="560"></iframe><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TtzHQOkGnHk" width="560"></iframe><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>March 15, 2015</b></span></div><i><b>Dear Editor.&nbsp;</b></i><br /><i><b>Just days ago, 47 Republican members of the US Senate broke from the Senate's roll of Advise and Consent and wrote a letter to Iranian leaders that has all but destroyed the ability of the United States president, present and future to conduct any kind of negotiations with foreign leaders. Their message was that leaders of other countries are wasting their time negotiating anything with any president of the United States because any terms negotiated on any subject can be overturned by Congress. As the New York Daily News asked in a recent article,</b></i><br /><i><b>“are these Senator's traitors?” I think, yes they are. That letter does push us closer to war with Iran and it was absolutely an attempt to undermine the President's efforts along with the efforts of our fellow allies to kill any negotiated terms with Iran. This was made very clear by Sen Tom Cotton (R-AR) that the goal was to make talks with Iran fail.</b></i><br /><i><b>We seem to forget that the Shah of Iran was a strong friend to the US until the Ayatollah Khomeini came into power in 1979 just as Saddam Hussein was a friend to the US. The only stable friend the United States has had in that region of the world is Israel and the Republican Congress has driven a wedge into that relationship with the recent snub to the president via the invitation offered to Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel to address Congress. </b></i><br /><i><b>We also seem to forget that the Republican Tea party forced our government to shut down at an approximated cost of 26 billion dollars and also threatened to cause us to not meet the obligations of our national debt. The fact that the economy of the entire world would have been turned upside down meant nothing because it was all about the hatred of president Obama. The Tea Party followed the lead of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell when during the first week of Obama's first administration said that his only job for the next four years was to see to it that Obama would not get reelected. Really? That's why he was elected?</b></i><br /><i><b>It is long past the time for American citizens to stop the Congressional nonsense and send a message to Congress that they have over stepped their authority and there only job right now is to work with the president and help resolve the problems we face. If they refuse to become part of the solution then they are without a doubt, part of the problem.</b></i><br /><i><b>The White House needs to fight fire with fire and join the Republican leaders in their game of power control. It is time for the tail to stop wagging the dog and I strongly urge the US Attorney General to file charges against the 47 Republicans as traitors. Then and only then will these foolish and dangerous legislators take their responsibilities to heart and begin to do the work of the people. They are more concerned with trying to undermine president Obama and take from the working class to give to the wealthy. Please keep in mind that Senator Toomey who represents Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate was one of the now infamous gang of 47. Rather than impeach the president, we need to indict the traitorous gang of 47.</b></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Thank you</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Wil Toole</b></span></div><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2857-march-18th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-3999854999974246118Tue, 17 Mar 2015 00:55:00 +00002015-03-16T20:55:02.978-04:00The LuLac Edition #2856, March 16th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MAYBE I’M AMAZED</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOZBC8zjJaY/VQd5udT0DXI/AAAAAAAAWFM/GzolXn35M3A/s1600/maybe%2Bi%27m%2Bamazed%2Blogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOZBC8zjJaY/VQd5udT0DXI/AAAAAAAAWFM/GzolXn35M3A/s1600/maybe%2Bi'm%2Bamazed%2Blogo.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our “Maybe I’m Amazed” logo. </b></div><span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…….that the Hazleton Recreation Center will get a 92 inch flat screen seized in a drug raid in 2013. I think that’s wonderful that the Luzerne County DA’s office has helped to make that happen. But I would love to know if the said drug dealers were defended by Public Defenders or not. You have enough money to buy a $6,000 TV, you have enough money to hire a private lawyer. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED…</span>…to make just one pound of honey, a honey bee must tap about two million flowers. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…..that no one discovered this until now. Apparently there is a cure for cancer and according to AOL it is outlined on page 859 of The Bible. Man, if we only knew. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED…</span>…that this off year election just might be the most boring (and I even love boring elections) in years. The only races of note in Luzerne County seem to be the Mayoral races in Wilkes Barre and Hazleton. In Lackawanna County there will be the fight for Commissioner with the GOP trying to find two viable candidates and the Democratic going with incumbents John Wansacz and Pat “The Statesman” O’Malley. Let’s see what the turnout is like in this primary. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED…</span>….that in just a few months, providence willing, Queen Elizabeth II will be the longest serving Monarch in England’s history. For many generations there isn’t even a memory of her predecessor, her father King George. If not for the movie “The King’s Speech”, there might not be any thought of him. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>……that it took me this long to come to the conclusion that Luzerne County taxpayers, you know the ones that play by the rules get screwed. Never minded paying county taxes because it covers a lot of services. But when the Homestead exemption is taken away and then when you find out that the Kingston law firm of Hourigan, Kluger &amp; Quinn; The Highlands, a high end venue located at Newberry Estate in Dallas Township and Dundee Gardens, a place I spent many a spring sitting in my car as Mrs. LuLac went for her plants got exemptions. Wait a minute, is this a Herbert T. Gillis situation where they live behind the store? Nope!&nbsp;</b><br /><b></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6ww2B_q3S0/VQd7IbgQcUI/AAAAAAAAWFY/Y5B9QeK2GN4/s1600/dobie33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6ww2B_q3S0/VQd7IbgQcUI/AAAAAAAAWFY/Y5B9QeK2GN4/s1600/dobie33.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Herbert T. Gillis played by Frank Faylen lived in the back of the store on The Dobie Gillis program. Think he got a homestead exception? <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: thrillingdaysof yesteryearblogspoot.vom)&nbsp;</span></span> </b></div><b>The most glaring item was the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre. Let’s not mention the fact they had to be virtually forced to admit women a few years back but I can guarantee you none of the members live there. But if these businesses can game the system..who am I to say anything? Who should have said something were the people under the dome checking this stuff out. Now collective foreheads are being slapped in shock, shock I tell you that something like this could even happen. New County Controller Michelle Bednar is using her small staff to do what should have been done in the first place: CHECK!!</b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>……….this dovetails into the previous note. In only 7.6 billion years, the sun will reach its maximum size and will shine 3,000 times brighter. Then and only then will Luzerne County have the finances figured out. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED…</span>…that Suzanne Somers has always been lampooned and underestimated her entire career. I’ve never been a big fan but as a 68 year old woman trying out on “Dancing With the Stars” (and by the way I’ve never seen the show), I wish her the very best. Hope she kicks some butt tonight. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…….that Kathy Griffin lasted seven weeks on E’s Fashion Police. For those who aren’t married, “Fashion Police” is a cable show that was hosted successfully by the late Joan Rivers. When Rivers died Griffin, the most annoying entertainer (and I use that word loosely) took her place as host. She resigned via Instagram the other day saying her humor did not fit in with the show’s format. Griffin also said, “"I do not want to use my comedy to contribute to a culture of unattainable perfectionism”. No worries there Kathy! No worries there. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>……that the state of Florida is larger than England. Now if they can get voting right….</b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…that now we are going to have a show on Cable called “The Real Housewives of Australia”. Nothing like polluting the rest of the world with bad TV. </b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2856-march-16th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-6841734325664581745Sat, 14 Mar 2015 00:09:00 +00002015-03-13T20:09:58.759-04:00The LuLac Edition #2855, March 13th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>13 QUESTIONS </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QEV6o8oqKI0/VQN7Td5LumI/AAAAAAAAWD4/tQm46Qprbx4/s1600/seatrain%2B13%2Bquestions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QEV6o8oqKI0/VQN7Td5LumI/AAAAAAAAWD4/tQm46Qprbx4/s1600/seatrain%2B13%2Bquestions.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our 13 Questions logo. </b></div><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>1. Any thoughts on this past winter? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>I hate winter. I think it was relentless again. I have nothing good to say about it. If I never saw another snow flake in my life, or if never ever saw one, I’d be fine. I’m not prone to violence but when I hear people wax poetic about the serenity and peaceful calm of a snow storm, I come to the conclusion they have no aging parents to take care of, no children to educate, no property to maintain, no vehicle to maintain, no loved one to bury in zero degree weather, and no pressing events that can be derailed by this crap. Winter in the east and elsewhere robs you of your freedom in a sense. If you are a runner, your schedule is shot. If your children have extracurricular activities, your life is upside down. It is most likely the only time of the year that I fear and loathe to the highest degree. </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>2. What do you think of the study that men are more narcissistic than women? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Really, I hadn’t noticed. But hey, how do I look? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>3. What is the last thing politically that just made you gasp and laugh out loud? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Last Saturday on MSNBC, Professor Charles Olgletree a faculty member of Harvard was being interview about the Selma anniversary. At one point he called Attorney General Eric Holder “The greatest Attorney General in the history of the United States”. Holder isn’t bad but what made it funny was that I can imagine my friend L.A. Tarone’s reaction if he ever heard that…live. </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>4. How much of Governor Wolf’s budget will get through the House and Senate? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Hard to say. The Senate might be the place for either compromise or a stall. The House essentially will pass anything it wants but watch the Senate and especially watch the three Senators from our area, Yudichak and Blake, Democrats and Baker on the GOP side. To start, all three are reasonable people and would rather achieve something concrete then go down in flames for dogmatic reasons.</b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>5. Voter turnout is always very low around here. What do you think of this idea, have a roving registration where you can vote in a race that interests you most. If there is no race in your town, you can go to another area and vote. Don’t like the Lu, go to the Lac. What d’ya think? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>It’s fraught with all kind of opportunities for illegality and mischief. But it would make a hell of a movie script. </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>6. Are you an App guy or not? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>I’m not a fanatic buy I have a few. </b></span><br /><span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: red;"><b>7. You did a great job outlining the 50th anniversary of Selma as you do many political and social historical events in this country. Is it me but there doesn’t seem to be many great leaders in the Civil Rights leadership as before. Your take?</b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Well it is a different time and I believe that sometimes leadership rises to the occasion of the event. Dr. King, Reverend Abernathy, Medgar Evers and John Lewis were fighting for the very survival of the movement. It is now a given that a person of color does not have to fight (the 2013 Supreme Court decision notwithstanding) for the right to vote. The challenge today is economic opportunity as well as addressing the way a minority suspect is treated. So the challenges are more complex. Everything, every issue has a gray tinge. Back in the 60s, the issues were more concrete. It was a yes or no. It was survival. People back then wanted the right to vote, now I bet the voting frequency of blacks in Selma is not that impressive. </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>With a lot of gray areas in our time now, there may not be many people equipped for the challenge. What I mean by “being equipped” has nothing to do with ability but whether to make the choice to be a leader or pursue other avenues of opportunity engendered by the original movement. </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>8. What are you reading right now? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Still trying to get through George W. Bush’s book about his father, George Herbert Walker Bush. On deck, Michael Smerconish’s novel “Talk” . </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>9. You have told us you don’t smoke. But if you did smoke dope, (by the way have you ever) what song would you smoke a joint to? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>I never smoked because it was too much work. I mean you have to hold it, light it, watch it, then put it out. Nope, never smoked. I did smoke marijuana once in 1973 in a car with some guys from high school. Took a few hits and fawned over it but really I had no reaction. I think I got more of a buzz from the restrooms at Shea Stadium during the 1980 season. </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>I think the song I’d smoke dope to would be “Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan or “She Say” by The Diamonds. </b></span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nEjLMEV-MyA" width="560"></iframe><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qtTW846sB-g" width="420"></iframe><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>10. Have you always been so Pro Israel?</b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Yes. Growing up I studied the founding of Israel for a school project. I saw firsthand as a young person the 1967 war with Egypt and then the 1973 war. The common denominator in my support for Israel is that this nation has never been an aggressor. They have always had to defend itself from entities that are trying to annihilate them. Kill them. The supposed deal with Iran is insane. Anyone who has seen the movie Argo has to wonder why we would even consider soft pedaling on this issue. </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>The U.S. has had its adversaries over the years. Nikita Khrushchev saying he will bury our system of government is quite a bit different than countries and terrorist states saying, “We will destroy you”. Big difference in my opinion. </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>Israel is the closest thing we have to normalcy of our values in the Mideast. That said, I think we should not impose our vision of government on people who are allies in the fight against ISIS. </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>I think Egypt and Jordan are seeing the folly of trying to destroy a country (Israel) that has looked better and better compared to the terrorists in that region. And you will never, ever convince me that Iran is not one of them. </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>11. Dunkin’ or Panera?</b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Dunkin’. There’s more locations and I love my app. </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>12. Why haven’t you been profiling any of the local races yet? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Well I wanted to see if the petitions were approved. Then we’ll get into it. C’mon, have I ever let ya down? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>EDITOR’S NOTE:<span style="color: #0b5394;"> To those who had questions about Benghazi, the St. Patrick’s Day after parties of Rock 107, and WYLN TV 35, we will get to them next month. You were bumped by a question I received this afternoon from an old boss of mine and a person I have always had a high regard for. </span></b></span><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>After not seeing each other for a while, we sat down for lunch and covered a lot of topics. He asked this question on the 13th day of the month (on a Friday the 13th no less) and it took me by surprise. Like many things that happen in life, I did not have the wits to say “I don’t know” or even the proverbial Pittston Junction standby of my youth, “search me”. But after we went our separate ways I began to think of his question and came up with what I believe is the answer. </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: red;"><b>13. What defines you? </b></span><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: blue;"><b>For most of my working life, I thought a job defined me. Not necessarily a career but a job. But when a job defines you, you lose yourself as a person. You become “The Counseling guy” or the “Insurance lady”. And what happens if you have the dream job and you lose it? Brian Williams is a perfect example. He was the anchor of NBC Nightly News. He was one of 6 people who sat behind that desk. But when the bump in the road, (okay, let’s call it a crater) came, (who is Brian Williams?), the anchor or the guy who stretched the truth become pretty muddled. </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>Are we defined by our marriages or children? Some people are and get lost in the shuffle in the shadow of their spouse or kids. </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>I think what defines anyone is how they react to what happens to them. My late mother in law was widowed at the age of 52. But yet in the next 35 to 40 years of her life that did not define her. Those people maimed in the Boston Bombing did not stay victims, they became survivors. So it dawned on me as I drove home that the answer is how you swing at that high hard pitch aimed at your head. Do you duck? Do you cower? Do you lead in and get your head bashed in thinking you should just get it over with? </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>I’ve had jobs since I was 15. I’m a cancer survivor. I’m the LuLac guy. I’m the guy with the cane that matches his clothes. I’m a radio guy. I’m a husband. I’m a best friend. I’m a friend. I’m downright annoying when it comes to small matters and very calm when it comes to a crisis. I’m a Godfather. I’ve had more second and third chances than one person on this earth deserves. So what defines me? </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>A horrible woman I knew in a momentary flash of kindness said that one word to sum me up was “undefeated”. I was flattered but did not like the term. “Undefeated” means you’ve never had the taste of losing. </b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>It is a hard question and took me a while to come to terms with what defines me. I came to the conclusion after getting the question this afternoon and not answering it well, that what defines us can be summed up in one word. A word that covers all the bases and can be interpreted in many ways. So my friend, to answer your question, a few hours late, I define myself as “Resilient”. The definition of that for me is that there is no problem too big to solve, no gap that can’t be bridged, very few sins that can’t be forgiven, and when your feet hit the floor in the morning, there is no reason that the day you start can’t be the best one of your life…………..despite the crap you’ve dealt with in the past. Resilient. </b></span>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2855-march-13th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-6142821720015222378Fri, 13 Mar 2015 00:25:00 +00002015-03-13T19:54:44.915-04:00The LuLac Edition #2854, March 12th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HILLARY, HILLARY, HILLARY!!!!!</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqV24AdHJO8/VQIjyd0eU6I/AAAAAAAAWDM/dOJ9nMQt3bU/s1600/pol_hillary03__01__630x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqV24AdHJO8/VQIjyd0eU6I/AAAAAAAAWDM/dOJ9nMQt3bU/s1600/pol_hillary03__01__630x420.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hillary Clinton. <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Bloomberg.com) </span></span></b></div><br /><b> </b> <b>A relative of mine, my 90 year old Aunt Mary used to say that “it’s the things you never worry about that get you”. A few weeks ago the very prospect that an e mail scandal could damage a Hillary Clinton run for President was incomprehensible. </b><br /><b>Now we are talking about personal servers, deleted e mails, personal communication and the number 55,000. For now, this is an inside the beltway story. The press is using the same refrain of “Oh no, those non transparent Clintons!” The GOP wants to get their hands on the e mails to determine what was in them and if they can make fodder on anything&nbsp; she might have wrote. </b><br /><b>The Clinton camp is saying they have the right to decide what should be seen and deleted. The former Secretary is saying that even though she had a personal server that was really the one used by the former President in their suburban New York home, the e mails were still saved on the Federal server because they were either forwarded by her to said server or the person who received the e mail. In her mind, it still had it in their public server possession. </b><br /><b>The line is so blurred between personal and policy that one has to wonder where the line is drawn. Knowing the Clintons they will try to run the clock out on this until people are tired of it. Knowing the GOP, at some point they will go beyond reason and overplay their hand. </b><br /><b>But here’s what to watch out for. If one of those deleted e mails contain something questionable regarding the Clinton Foundation and former donors, or contains something the Clintons wanted to hide (not saying this is the case but we’re playing a game of “what if” here) and it was saved by someone else……..and then released, then the proverbial crap will hit the fan. Then you will see the unintended consequences of why Mrs. Clinton made the Nixionian decision to control the destiny of her messages. If things stay quiet for a while, it does not guarantee that there will not be a surprise. The e mail controversy has the potential to be the sword of Domiciles that can hang over a Presidential bid already running in low gear. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THAT SAID………..</b></span></span></div><b>Here’s something that has been buried in the LuLac files for a while. When Dr. Joe Leonardi had his political blog, (the former Congressional candidate would be a frequent guest on WYOU TV’s Interactive News), he wrote a prescient post on why Hillary Clinton would not be the 2008 nominee. Now 8 years later his words still ring true. That’s the article that follows. <br /> </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE NEXT DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">Author's note:<i> </i></span><i>“I originally wrote this on my old blog in March of 2007.... It seems I could have written it today, and it would still be accurate. I offer it as it appeared, with minor notations in parenthesis.”</i> <span style="color: red;">Dr. Joe Leonardi. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>“PRESIDENT HILARY CLINTON? NAH I DON’T THINK SO!”</b></span></span></i></div><b>Not a single primary has been held, not a single vote has been cast, heck before nothing more than a presidential exploratory committee had been formed, Senator (former Secretary of State) Hillary Rodham Clinton had been anointed the Democratic nominee and the next President of the United States. The big question is not if Senator (former Secretary of State) Clinton will get her party’s nomination and eventually become President. No, the big question is why she won’t.</b><br /><b>Straight out Hillary Rodham Clinton is not all that like-able. The most unspoken reason someone wins the presidency is like-ability. Other words such as charisma and appeal are used to make it sound more complex, more meaningful, more serious. However, the simple fact is like-ability rules the roost in electing our presidents. Ronald Reagan was our grandfather. Bill Clinton was every man, “the man from Hope”, and George W. gave the appearance that though born to privilege, he could be everyone’s best friend.</b><br /><b>Qualifications and education are played up, but they really aren’t that important. President Harry Truman did not posses a college degree. Other than Governor, President Ronald Reagan never held any other elected office, never ran a business, he was simply a B movie actor and spokesperson. President George W. Bush’s business failures are well chronicled. The two one term presidents of my lifetime may have been the most “qualified” to hold office. Both Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter had excellent educations, distinguished military careers and worked their way up the political ladder. Each failed in their re-elections bids because they weren’t like-able. President’s Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush all had potential scandals that should have prevented their re-elections, but they won because of the like-ability factor. President Reagan is remembered with great fondness by supporters and detractors alike. President Clinton won over the man he vanquished. And the future will tell about President George W. Bush.</b><br /><b>Since the age of television the shallower qualities are played up. A great example is the Nixon/Kennedy debate. Those who watched it on television felt Kennedy won, those who heard it on the radio felt Nixon won. President Kennedy embraced the then new media. He was tanned, used stage make up, and though he was a man in great pain and suffered from an illness few were aware, appeared young and vibrant.</b><br /><b>President Nixon looked, well looked like Nixon.</b><br /><b>Back to Senator (former Secretary of State) Clinton. Hillary is just not like-able. She rubs many people, including fellow Democrats, the wrong way. She went from being a Goldwater conservative to a 60′s liberal and fervent feminist. She went from single Hillary Rodham to the married Hillary Rodham, to Hillary Clinton to finally Hillary Rodham Clinton. She went from a socialist utopic idea of nationalizing one seventh of the U.S. economy to being a conservative war hawk. She was quoted as saying, “I’m not some Tammy Wynette standing by my man” to a doormat of a blatant philandering husband time and time again. She was born in Illinois resided in Arkansas and Washington D.C. but ran for the Senate in New York. She went from unflappable and undeterred to tossing her beliefs to the wayside for political expedience and popularity.</b><br /><b>The reason Senator (former Secretary of State) Clinton is not like-able is because no one knows who is the real Hillary Clinton. There is no genuine, consistent character to her. It is hard to like someone who doesn’t like him or herself. How do you like yourself if you can’t decide who you are? There are those that seek the presidency to lead and there are those that seek the presidency just to be president.</b><br /><b>Which is Senator (former Secretary of State) Clinton?</b><br /><b>Who knows?</b><br /><b>I would guess even she doesn’t know. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE TREASONOUS 47 </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>First off, for those of you who have read this blog as well as my Facebook posts, you know I am pro Israel. You know I think it is ridiculous that we are even negotiating with Iran in terms of atomic weapons in that region. I agree with the sentiment of the letter BUT I violently disagree with the interference of the Legislative body by sending a message to Iran that the deal could be undone by the next President. </b><br /><b>This smacks of what the Nixon campaign did in 1968 when they sent a message to the North Vietnamese that if a Republican would be elected, the North would get a better deal. 4 years later and 20,000 lives later, both sides realized that overture was a load of baloney. </b><br /><b>We only have one President, one Secretary of State. For as much as I agree with the importance of Israel for our country to show divided government in terms of foreign policy borders on treason. What if the Senate in 1962 sent a letter to Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile crisis? What if the Democrats undermined Eisenhower in Hungary? What if the Republicans sent a note to Hitler in WWII? Dramatic you say? Not really. </b><br /><b>The sad fact in American politics today is that no one is united. We are not united when we send a signal to a foreign nation, a nation that tortured and kept in captivity members of our foreign service for 444 days that we are do not have two or three negotiators but 535! What a travesty. Here is the list that signed the letter. Sad to say one of our own in the state of Pennsylvania, Pat Toomey, usually reasonable, joined the crazies. Here’s who signed: </b><br /><b>Senator Tom Cotton, R-AR</b><br /><b>Senator Orrin Hatch, R-UT </b><br /><b>Senator Charles Grassley, R-IA </b><br /><b>Senator Mitch McConnell, R-KY </b><br /><b>Senator Richard Shelby, R-AL </b><br /><b>Senator John McCain, R-AZ </b><br /><b>Senator James Inhofe, R-OK </b><br /><b>Senator Pat Roberts, R-KS </b><br /><b>Senator Jeff Sessions, R-AL </b><br /><b>Senator Michael Enzi, R-WY</b><br /><b>Senator Michael Crapo, R-ID </b><br /><b>Senator Lindsey Graham, R-SC </b><br /><b>Senator John Cornyn, R-TX </b><br /><b>Senator Richard Burr, R-NC</b><br /><b>Senator John Thune, R-SD </b><br /><b>Senator Johnny Isakson, R-GA</b><br /><b>Senator David Vitter, R-LA </b><br /><b>Senator John A. Barrasso, R-WY </b><br /><b>Senator Roger Wicker, R-MS </b><br /><b>Senator Jim Risch, R-ID</b><br /><b>Senator Mark Kirk, R-IL </b><br /><b>Senator Roy Blunt, R-MO </b><br /><b>Senator Jerry Moran, R-KS</b><br /><b>Senator Rob Portman, R-OH </b><br /><b>Senator John Boozman, R-AR </b><br /><b>Senator Pat Toomey, R-PA </b><br /><b>Senator John Hoeven, R-ND</b><br /><b>Senator Marco Rubio, R-FL </b><br /><b>Senator Ron Johnson, R-WI </b><br /><b>Senator Rand Paul, R-KY</b><br /><b>Senator Mike Lee, R-UT </b><br /><b>Senator Kelly Ayotte, R-NH </b><br /><b>Senator Dean Heller, R-NV </b><br /><b>Senator Tim Scott, R-SC </b><br /><b>Senator Ted Cruz, R-TX </b><br /><b>Senator Deb Fischer, R-NE </b><br /><b>Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV </b><br /><b>Senator Bill Cassidy, R-LA </b><br /><b>Senator Cory Gardner, R-CO </b><br /><b>Senator James Lankford, R-OK </b><br /><b>Senator Steve Daines, R-MT</b><br /><b>Senator Mike Rounds, R-SD</b><br /><b>Senator David Perdue, R-GA </b><br /><b>Senator Thom Tillis, R-NC </b><br /><b>Senator Joni Ernst, R-IA </b><br /><b>Senator Ben Sasse, R-NE </b><br /><b>Senator Dan Sullivan, R-AK</b><br /><b>What kills me is how Republicans will tell you how THEY FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION, HOW THEY EVEN CARRY A COPY OF IT IN THEIR POCKETS to tell you how much more patriotic than their opponents are. Yeah, maybe they should take that copy of the Constitution from their jacket pocket and put it in their back trouser pocket. Then it will be in close proximity to who they really are, total asses. </b><br /><b>Here is the list of those who didn't sign: </b><br /><b>Senator Lamar Alexander, R-TN</b><br /><b>Senator Susan Collins, R-ME</b><br /><b>Senator Bob Corker, R-TN</b><br /><b>Senator Dan Coats, R-IN</b><br /><b>Senator Thad Cochran, R-MS</b><br /><b>Senator Jeff Flake, R-AZ</b><br /><b>Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-AK</b><br /><b>I’m disappointed that Toomey and John McCain aren’t on that list. But Toomey is a lackey and McCain is still pissed he lost the election.&nbsp; Also, the next time these jokers start talking about "Executive Orders"...tell them to explain this. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MEDIA MATTERS</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>RENDELL EXITS QUICKLY&nbsp;</b></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUTaTOGtUh8/VQItLUqjp1I/AAAAAAAAWDc/0VTRCA9FWhs/s1600/edrendell1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUTaTOGtUh8/VQItLUqjp1I/AAAAAAAAWDc/0VTRCA9FWhs/s1600/edrendell1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ed Rendell. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: hiddencityphila.org). </span></span></b></div></div><b><br /></b> <b>Saw something strange on MSNBC’S Morning Joe Wednesday. Rendell was reading a statue from the Federal handbook on the e mail controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton. Joe Scarborough the host cracked to Rendell, “You just happened to have a copy of that near your cereal this morning”. Rendell didn’t appear in any other segment. Let’s hope the former Governor told the “host”, (and I use the term loosely) and former Congressman turned blowhard and bully to pound sand. Like the show but think Scarborough can be a jerk a majority of the time. Usually it’s entertaining but Wednesday it was, well like Scarborough was not happy to be just a jerk but wanted to be king of the jerks. </b><br /><b> </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>PITTSTON PARADE A HIT</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1PZzDzQ3zU/VQIgFN11prI/AAAAAAAAWCw/AwKORTtOkdA/s1600/times%2Btribune.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1PZzDzQ3zU/VQIgFN11prI/AAAAAAAAWCw/AwKORTtOkdA/s1600/times%2Btribune.png" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"><b>(Photo: Times Tribune). </b></span></span></div><b>Last week’s second annual Pittston City St. Patrick’s day parade was a huge hit. The event had more than six bag pipe units and from all accounts was well attended even in the cold. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KILARNEY KAPERS </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>I have to tell you that “Killarney Kapers” will not be the same without Mike Remish but I’m sure he’ll approve of the line up this Saturday at 10:30AM as Bobby V., Jim Riley and Dave Madeira doing the commentary. The show started long ago on the old WWDL and WICK will be heard on NEPA's Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm. </b><br /><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>McNULTY GRAND MARSHALL IN SCRANTON </b></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>James McNulty. (<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">Photo: philly.com) </span></span></b></div><b>Former Scranton Mayor Jim McNulty has been named the Grand Marshall of the 2015 Scranton parade. The former Mayor was thrilled by the honor and is getting his rain gear ready for the big day. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WYLN TV 35 BROADCASTING WILKES-BARRE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE—LIVE!</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>For the fourth year, WYLN35 based in Hazleton, PA and airing throughout the Wilkes-Barre market will broadcast the Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day Parade LIVE.</b><br /><b>The parade coverage will begin 2PM EST Sunday March 15th and rebroadcast several times (check local listings or go to WYLNTV.com for details regarding rebroadcast days/times). </b><br /><b>The televised coverage will be hosted by WYLN35 news personalities: News Anchor, Ann Gownley and Reporter/Topic A host Gary Perna. The station’s Sports Director, Eric DeBerardinis and Sports/Features Reporter, Gabriella Justin will be in the roles of correspondents on the streets. Additional on-air WYLN35 talent will be at the parade behind the cameras, including the station’s Chief Meteorologist, Joe Garbacik.</b><br /><b>Interviews will include this in the parade, spectators, the Mayor of Wilkes-Barre and the parade’s grand marshal. </b><br /><b>WYLN35 serves northeastern PA and can be watched on the following cable and UHF channels:</b><br /><b>Channel 7 </b><br /><b>Service Electric Cablevision Hazleton &amp; Mahanoy City</b><br /><b>Metrocast Berwick</b><br /><b>Service Electric Cable TV &amp; Communications Wilkes-Barre</b><br /><b>Channel 15</b><br /><b>Shen-Heights Television</b><br /><b>UHF Channels</b><br /><b>Channel 5 Williamsport</b><br /><b>Channel 24 East Stroudsburg</b><br /><b>Channel 35 Hazleton</b><br /><b>Channel 47 Berwick</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>IRREGULARS THINK TANK BREAKFAST</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Event:The Irregulars Think Tank Breakfast</b><br /><b>Date: Saturday, March 14</b><br /><b>Presenter: Bruce Spencer, Past President, Blue Diamonds Toastmaster Club of Luzerne County</b><br /><b>Topic: Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program.....Thirty Years Later – It Clicked!</b><br /><b>Time: 9:00 A.M. (Doors open at 8:30)</b><br /><b>Place: The Metro at Twin Stacks Center - Hwy 415 – Dallas</b><br /><b>Cost: $12.00 per person / Pay At The Door</b><br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUNDAY MAGAZINE </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>This Week on Sunday Magazine</b><br /><b>Brian Hughes speaks with Dr. Tracey Wilen, author of numerous books on women in the workplace, about why 2015 is the year of "Woman Up" as we mark the month of March as Women's Month.</b><br /><b>Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Colin Riccobon from the Red Cross who discusses Red Cross Month during March.</b><br /><b>And an encore of Brian's interview with Michael Boyd, and his Facebook group's plans to bring a Reading Terminal Marketplace to the troubled Mall at Steamtown in Scranton</b><br /><b>Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X &amp; Sports Radio 590, WARM, and 6:25am on Magic 93.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ECTV</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsKZZ0k8nOc/VQIhp1ec1_I/AAAAAAAAWC8/4rGtBiHUKr8/s1600/ENVIRONMENTAL%2BCENTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsKZZ0k8nOc/VQIhp1ec1_I/AAAAAAAAWC8/4rGtBiHUKr8/s1600/ENVIRONMENTAL%2BCENTER.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: ECTV)&nbsp; </span></span></b></div><b>ECTV Live Hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender will welcome Michelle Wheeler of the Lackawanna Environmental Education Center to the program during the week of March 16th to unveil Spring and Summer programs at the facility. ECTV Live is presented several times throughout the day on Comcast Channel 19 (61 in some areas). </b><br /><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GOLD BOLD COMMUNITY FORUM</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>This week's guest is Colleen Connolly from the Department of Environmental Protection, discussing Keystone Landfill expansion and other issues. Jim Riley hosts Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on NEPA's Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River </b><br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUDDY RUMCHEK</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!” </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KAREL ON THE STREET</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME</b></span></h2></div><b>Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our 1965 logo.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OoKAfjaE_9s/VQIi79mQw7I/AAAAAAAAWDE/ofvc_wWPXJY/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OoKAfjaE_9s/VQIi79mQw7I/AAAAAAAAWDE/ofvc_wWPXJY/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" height="80" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1965</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b>An engagement is announced between Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven, who will become the first commoner and the first Dutchman to marry into the Dutch Royal Family……Goldie, a London Zoo golden eagle, is recaptured 12 days after her escape………White Unitarian Universalist minister James J. Reeb, beaten by White supremacists in Selma, Alabama on March 9 following the second march from Selma, dies in a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama......President Lyndon B. Johnson makes his "We Shall Overcome" speech.</b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rVWn89vGJys" width="420"></iframe><br /><b>Police clash with 600 SNCC marchers in Montgomery, Alabama...In Montgomery, Alabama, 1,600 civil rights marchers demonstrate at the Courthouse.....In response to the events of March 7 and 9 in Selma, Alabama, President Lyndon B. Johnson sends a bill to Congress that forms the basis for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is passed by the Senate May 26, the House July 10, and signed into law by President Johnson August 6……..in Pennsylvania the action starts to heat up for the Mayor’s race in Philadelphia……..and in Luzerne County off year elections begin to commence as County Democrats begin huge efforts to register more Democrats. The GOP though still has a considerable edge and fifty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “The Birds and the Bees” by Jewel Akens. </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i0ZF543HQ9Y" width="420"></iframe><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2854-march-12th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-2016649883323693429Tue, 10 Mar 2015 00:37:00 +00002015-03-09T20:37:22.367-04:00The LuLac Edition #2853, March 9th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SELMA, MARCH # 2</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">March 9th, 1965 </span></b></span></span></div><b><br /></b><b>A little known fact that does not get much attention is that there was a second March in Selma. It was&nbsp; on March&nbsp; 9th. That fact is a matter of public record. There was still an injunction from the Federal Courts prohibiting the March. Dr. King was told that his safety as well as those of the marchers could not guaranteed. King decided to turn back and then wait for the legal possess to work itself out. The third March happened a few weeks later. </b><br /><b>Former Senator Harris Wofford told Michael Smerconish that&nbsp; this was the most significant march because by King showing restraint, there was no violence the third time around. Wofford believed that if King had gone through with it and there was more violence, then there might have been an overreaction that would not be sympathetic to the movement. </b><br /><b>Wofford, the best shortest serving but one of the best Senators Pennsylvania ever had was on the best radio Talk Show not many people hear.&nbsp; Michael Smerconish on POTUS, on Sirius. 9am. </b><br /><i><b>The second march took place March 9. Troopers, police, and marchers confronted each other, but when the troopers stepped aside to let them pass, King led the marchers back to the church. He was obeying a federal injunction while seeking protection from federal court for the march. That night, a white group beat and murdered civil rights activist James Reeb, a Unitarian Universalist minister from Boston, who had come to Selma to march in the second march. Many other clergy and sympathizers from across the country also attended the second march. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Wikipedia.com) </span></span></b></i>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulc-edition-2853-march-9th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-557427437420193025Mon, 09 Mar 2015 00:59:00 +00002015-03-08T21:48:20.353-04:00The LuLac Edition #2852, March 8th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">INTERVIEW</span> </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JT1cO6fEk_k/VPzr7KntjjI/AAAAAAAAWB0/t6gaPGA-fVQ/s1600/061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JT1cO6fEk_k/VPzr7KntjjI/AAAAAAAAWB0/t6gaPGA-fVQ/s1600/061.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our "Interview" logo.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJJ5xdFwg6E/VPzvmMUpNBI/AAAAAAAAWCA/9mYHox9s4Hg/s1600/selma_march.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJJ5xdFwg6E/VPzvmMUpNBI/AAAAAAAAWCA/9mYHox9s4Hg/s1600/selma_march.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>Saturday was the fiftieth anniversary of "Bloody Sunday", a day when Alabama State Troopers attacked 525 civil rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama as they attempt to march to the state capitol of Montgomery. The march was scheduled to garner more public support for The Voting Rights Act. Many of here in the north only saw these events unfold on TV. I always wondered what seeing those places, even in hindsight would be like. We're fortunate to speak to an individual who was in the Deep, formerly segregated South touring the towns that were at the epicenter of the struggle. One of them was Selma. Jim Gibson is our Interview for today. </b><br /><br /><b>1. First off, you were 9 when all of this was going on. What prompted you to go on this trip, how was it arranged and how did you find out about it? </b><br /><br /><b><i>That’s right. I don’t remember when it was happening. Later on in life, probably during my 20s, I read a book on the civil rights movement and found it fascinating. My wife, Bonnie, and I have continued to read about it and discuss it ever since. We both decided it was time to go visit these places in person.</i></b><br /><b><i>Without the convenience of the Internet in those days, Bonnie spent hours calling the tourist bureaus in each state, compiling all the information and developing the itinerary. It is fair to say that “visiting” is the only thing I had to do. </i></b><br /><b><i>For me, there was no moral ambiguity about this issue. It was not like should we have a tax cut or not or what can be done to prevent teen pregnancies. This was about ensuring Americans their very basic rights – rights that were being denied based on the color of their skin. It is a story about true Americans taking on others who were more than willing to blatantly violate the Constitution by “any means necessary,” to ironically quote Malcolm X. Most public issues are fascinating to me but this one had none of the moral ambiguity.</i></b><br /><br /><br /><b>2. As you stated you went in 1996, what was your feel for what the attitude was there?</b><br /><br /><i><b>The attitude in Selma was laid-back, mixed with unpretentious Southern hospitality. The town is predominantly African American and that populace is pleased that tourists are interested in the history of the town and movement. It was a stark contrast to how Southern whites historically would refer so hostilely to “outsider” Northerners trying to change the “Southern way of life.” </b></i><br /><br /><br /><b>3. Selma. Give me an overview of the town. You were born in New Jersey, grew up in Kingston, lived in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and now Denver. Describe the town, even in 1996.</b><br /><br /><b><i>At first glance, it looks like any other small town in that part of the country. By all appearances, one would never sense the magnitude of the history that took place there. As it turned out, what did take place there not only affected the South, but the rest of America and, for that matter, the world.</i></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>4. Did you engage in any conversations with the towns people. Did they view these tours as an intrusion, a changing of the times or just as commerce?</b><br /><br /><i><b>Chatting with local residents was great. They were very welcoming and happy that we and others care about what happened there.</b></i><br /><i><b>Bonnie sparked a friendship with one of the museum directors in town. They “bonded” while discussing the despicable bigotry of Dallas County Sheriff Jim Clark (the county which includes Selma). </b></i><br /><b><br /></b><b>5. Being a ball buster from birth, when you were talking to some people there, knowing that the bridge's namesake, Edmund Pettus was a former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, did you ask anyone why they never changed the name of the bridge? </b><br /><br /><b><i>Honestly, I did not know about the history of Pettus and so that conversation about the bridge’s name never came up.</i></b><br /><b><i>After all these years, I think you misunderstand the nature of my humor. I only “bust” those people who have an undue, inflated opinion of themselves. Present company excluded, of course.</i></b><br /><br /><b>6.Yeah, right. Did you walk over the bridge and when you did, were you alone and what vibes were you getting? </b><br /><br /><i><b>Bonnie and I did make a point of walking over the bridge and, knowing the history, found it very moving. You could feel the sacrifices that were made there and it literally brought tears to our eyes. The people who marched over that bridge on “Bloody Sunday” helped make America a much better place. After the walk, we hopped into the car and drove the rest of the route of the march to Montgomery.</b></i><br /><i><b>At the time, I vowed that I would be “back” if the progress made down there was ever reversed. I was too young and unaware to help in 1965. Hopefully, it will not be necessary ever again and if it is, I will not be too old or gone by then. </b></i><br /><br /><b>7. There were many champions of the Civil Rights movement, both black and white. The people of color in the South you spoke to, other than Dr. King, who did they give the most credit to for their progress?</b><br /><br /><i><b>David, I am so glad you asked that question. As part of the same civil rights tour we took, Bonnie and I visited the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. King was the pastor there at the start of the town’s famous boycott of the mass transit system (which effectively made King a leader of the movement), when Rosa Parks was arrested for not moving to the back of the bus. (By the way, as part of our travels around Montgomery, we arrived at the intersection of Jefferson Davis and Rosa Parks streets – only in the South!)</b></i><br /><i><b>The church is still operating but the basement had been converted into a museum about the movement. As we walked in, I noticed a classic photo of President Kennedy prominently displayed on the wall.</b></i><br /><i><b>I had to ask the tour guide why JFK and not President Lyndon Johnson, the president who did the most in U.S. history to expand the rights of all Americans, including the Voting Rights Act which was spurred by Selma march. As I recall, she did not have much of answer.</b></i><br /><i><b>As part of that same tour of the South, we visited Mae Bertha Carter, the late civil rights leader in Drew, Mississippi. I read the book, Silver Rights, which details her fight and the sacrifices she made to make sure her children got a quality education which, at the time, were only provided in the “white” public schools. Subsequently, in 2000, President Clinton awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.</b></i><br /><i><b>We looked her up and asked if we could meet her. She was incredibly gracious, invited us to her home, told us fascinating stories and could not have been kinder. </b></i><br /><i><b>Ms. Carter also had a portrait of JFK in her living room. My guess is that despite all of LBJ’s incredible work on civil rights legislation, the legacy of Vietnam may have forever tainted his reputation. Our memories about him are so ambiguous that it may be too difficult to treat him as a “hero.” I suppose, rightly or wrongly, our memories of JFK are much less so. In my view, the recent movie, Selma, also unfairly maligned LBJ’s role in civil rights.</b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><b><br /></b><b>8. Now in the rear view mirror of history, given the situations in places like The Supreme Court upending the Voting Rights Act, Ferguson, New York, Florida and now Wisconsin, are we making progress or sliding backwards? </b><br /><br /><i><b>I believe that the world is a much better place but with a lot more work still to be done. I used to believe that we would indeed arrive at the “promised land,” as MLK said, but I am starting to think that the issue of race and equality are battles that must be continually fought.</b></i><br /><i><b>President Obama may have said it better in Selma on Saturday. “Just this week, I was asked whether I thought the Department of Justice’s Ferguson report shows that, with respect to race, little has changed in this country. But I rejected the notion that nothing’s changed. What happened in Ferguson may not be unique, but it’s no longer endemic, it’s no longer sanctioned by law or by custom; and before the civil rights movement, it most surely was.”</b></i><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>EDITOR'S NOTE: James Gibson is a graduate of King's College, and Carnegie Mellon University. He has worked with the Pennsylvania State Senate, Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, was head of the Colorado Democratic Leadership Council and currently teaches Government and Politics in Denver, Colorado. </b></span><br /><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2852-march-8th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-4320174897780924820Sat, 07 Mar 2015 21:43:00 +00002015-03-07T18:33:39.940-05:00The LuLac Edition #2851, March 7th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THREE TIMES AND HE'S STILL A CHARM: JOE BIDEN</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bODvRWjrbb8/VPtv8j6TcwI/AAAAAAAAWA4/FBZStvWSMK4/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bODvRWjrbb8/VPtv8j6TcwI/AAAAAAAAWA4/FBZStvWSMK4/s1600/untitled.png" /></a></div><b>The Vice President, Joe Biden. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: CNN).</span></span></b></div><b>Vice President Joe Biden will be in town for the annual Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County. Like he did in 1973 and 1998 Mr. Biden will deliver remarks at the popular event. The dinner will be held at The Genettti Manor in Dickson City. Biden was born in Scranton, moved at the age of 10 but reportedly knows where many people still live. The event falls smack dab on the big day, March 17th. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>AFTER “THE STATESMAN” </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWLpKIo-Rrc/VPtwEzvFbfI/AAAAAAAAWBA/N7lw1cz6EO0/s1600/c8293b961e418768afb7ff0d8ea52e54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWLpKIo-Rrc/VPtwEzvFbfI/AAAAAAAAWBA/N7lw1cz6EO0/s1600/c8293b961e418768afb7ff0d8ea52e54.png" height="320" width="309" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Laureen Cummings, then candidate Lou Barletta and Frank Scavo at a Tea Party event in 2010. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: examiner.com). </span></span></b></div><b>The Lackawanna County GOP is trying to sort out the race for Lackawanna County Commissioner as their candidate in 2011 switched to run as a Democrat this year. That’s what you get when you have a former President of the Young Democrats into your party. </b><br /><b>If I were the Lackawanna County GOP, I’d run a group of people labeled as Real Republicans. People interested are Frank Scavo and Laureen Cummings. I both violently disagree with both of them on national issues but locally I think they would be formidable. BUT they have to stick to local issues. </b><br /><b>Steve Corbett made the comment on his show that most likely the prospect of a Laureen Cummings candidacy drove O’Malley crazy and maybe drove him back to the Dems. Can you imagine a real Republican running against O'Malley who has been regarded by some as the third Democratic Commissioner even before he switched. He’s right. Cummings is well known, acquitted herself well against Congressman Cartwright and makes some very good points in terms of local fiscal austerity. Normally you might think that two candidates from an area might be seen as a political liability but the other candidates from the city are woeful in their ability to mount a serious campaign. </b><br /><b>If Charlie Spano wants to run, he should run alone and trumpet his citizen activism as well as his work on the planning commission. Bill Jones who some people think was cut 5,000 votes in the last election by “The Statesman” can bring a balance from the Upper Valley. One wonders why anyone would entrust a candidacy to Paul Catelano after the terrible job he did as chairman of the GOP. Buona Pizza owner and former candidate for Council Giovanni Piccolino has also been mentioned but may not get support outside of Scranton. </b><br /><b>Some say the dream ticket would be for Cummings to pair with Spano or maybe Jones to pair with Scavo. The great temptation in heavily Democratic Lackawanna County is to form a ticket on the GOP side and let the stronger of the two will out to become the Minority Commissioner. I’d like to see each candidate run individually and then get things sorted out in the General. The last thing a minority party needs in a primary are two factions going against each other. </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">LUZERNE COUNTY GOP TO PROVIDE NOTARY SERVICE FOR CANDIDATE</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span></span></b></div><b><br /></b><b>The Republican Party of Luzerne County will provide Notary Service for Republican candidates on Monday, March 9, 2015 from 5-7 PM at Grotto Pizza at the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre.</b><br /><b>Deadline for filing of Candidate Petitions is Tuesday, March 10, 2015.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>SPAGNOLA EVENT </b></span></h2><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5NxLMxvj8k/VPtwPR4LVuI/AAAAAAAAWBI/adgMCCPp0Es/s1600/Cocktail%2Bfundraiser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5NxLMxvj8k/VPtwPR4LVuI/AAAAAAAAWBI/adgMCCPp0Es/s1600/Cocktail%2Bfundraiser.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></div><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2851-march-7th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-2065245809482927616Fri, 06 Mar 2015 02:04:00 +00002015-03-06T19:44:23.077-05:00The LuLac Edition #2850, March 5th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NETANYAHU’S SPEECH </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9OqUjUfnUU/VPkInTh0KeI/AAAAAAAAV-M/PlhouLh_rnU/s1600/f022d340-c294-11e4-9958-11fc2667b63e_AP774400428651Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9OqUjUfnUU/VPkInTh0KeI/AAAAAAAAV-M/PlhouLh_rnU/s1600/f022d340-c294-11e4-9958-11fc2667b63e_AP774400428651Crop.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div><b>Benjamin Netanyahu before Congress. <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo: CNN.com)</span></span></b></div><b><br /></b> <b>I’m confused. In a country where we declare “I might not agree with what you say but I will fight to the death your right to say it”, why were there so many people afraid of what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to say?&nbsp; The Obama administration has been frosty to the leader of our strongest ally in the Mideast. I’m afraid that this administration is soft pedaling the commitment to Israel. Every U.S. President since Harry Truman has been a partner with Israel. Yet this administration has put the country at arm’s length.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>For Democrats like me, it puts me in the same tent with members of the GOP House. I understand that we don’t want Iran to have weapons but it appears we are being way too polite. Let’s look at the balance sheet. This is a country that took hostages from our embassy in 1979 and held them for 444 days. This is a country that has a faction of radical Islam true believers&nbsp; that can and will be a force in their government.</b><br /><b>On the other hand Israel has stood by us in every endeavor. In a way their government has more decisiveness in utilizing its military than we have recently. Did you ever notice when Israel is attacked, their fight is furious and at least for a time their enemies knew what hit them. I can’t imagine other armies in the Mideast doing what Israel has done historically. When we send military aid to Israel, the soldiers don’t run away and don’t leave their guns behind. They do what soldiers do, fight, survive or die. No gray area here. </b><br /><b>As long as the Iranian government does not disavow the actions of Islamic terrorists, we should do everything in our power to stop them from having atomic weapons. Israel is our philosophical partner in the Middle East. Their culture and values is the closest to ours. On a more practical level why are we wasting all that money we put into the Israeli government since it started? Are we rooting for failure here? The Prime Minister laid it out and made no bones about the danger. Here’s what the Prime Minister said, “The greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons. We can't let that happen. But that, my friends, is exactly what could happen if the deal now being negotiated is accepted by Iran. That deal will not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. It would all but guarantee that Iran gets those weapons, lots of them”. </b><br /><b>Here’s a what if. What if the Westboro Baptist Church, an extremist religion in the United States had religious power in our government? Would we be trusted to do the right thing? Don’t think so. By trusting Iran to do the “right thing”, by saying pretty please to our former enemy and essentially thumbing our noses at a long time ally is not only foolhardy but dangerous.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><ul style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HIGH STAKES AT THE HIGH COURT….AGAIN </b></span></span></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KING V. BURWELL THREATENS TO DESTROY GAINS IN COVERAGE, STRIP HEALTH COVERAGE FROM 329,000 PENNSYLVANIANS</b></span></span> </div><b> </b> <b>Oral arguments begin in King v. Burwell, a case which pits partisan opponents of the health care law against millions of Americans benefitting from it. A ruling against the Affordable Care Act in this case would strip premium tax credits from people who live in states like Pennsylvania, where lawmakers declined the opportunity to establish a state-based marketplace. Invalidating tax credits for roughly 9 million Americans would have immediate and severe consequences, destabilizing insurance markets across the country and destroying the gains in coverage made possible by the ACA in the past two years.</b><br /><b>More than 422,000 Pennsylvanians are currently enrolled in private health plans through Healthcare.gov; 81% of them received financial help via the law's tax credits to do so. A ruling against the ACA in King v. Burwell would force these newly-enrolled Pennsylvanians to come up with an extra $200 a month to keep their coverage (the average annual tax credit per enrollee in Pennsylvania is $2,610). That's not a viable option for these folks, nearly all of whom have low or moderate incomes. Estimates show that without financial help, 329,000 Pennsylvanians would lose coverage. </b><br /><b>Karen Bernard and her husband Bill Pepmeyer, would be among those losing coverage if the Supreme Court sides with opponents of the ACA. Karen and Bill enrolled in the Marketplace at the start of the first open enrollment period and can't afford to lose their coverage. Karen works part-time at a grocery store; until recently, Bill ran his own small business. Bill was forced to give that up to focus on his health after being diagnosed with leukemia. Karen and Bill, like so many others, are worried about what the Supreme Court will do. Karen said: "My husband has cancer. He had to sell his small business and now he receives disability checks. I work but do not make much. Without the Affordable Care Act we cannot afford health care. Period." </b><br /><b>There is no legal basis for the Supreme Court to take health insurance away from Karen and Bill, and 9 million others. The clear intent of Congress in crafting the Affordable Care Act was to make coverage affordable for all Americans, no matter where they live. Advocates are hopeful that the Supreme Court will take into account the context and intent of the law and uphold the ACA once more.</b><br /><b>"The consequences of this case cannot be overstated: A ruling against the ACA would be devastating to millions of Americans and wreak havoc on our health care system. If they take this away from people the tears of joy we've come to see in the eyes of those we've helped get covered after years of being denied or priced out of the market will once again turn to tears of frustration, anxiety and fear. Said Antoinette Kraus, Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network."</b><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">NOTABLE DEATHS</span></span> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">SCOTT DIETTERICK</span> </b></span></div><br /><b>Scott Dietterick, a former Kingston Councilman and State Representative passed away last week at the age of 75. As a Representative in the 120th he succeeded Franklin Coslett. Dietterick was a straight shooter when it came to politics and always was easy to help in his office near the Forty Fort Borough Building. He also was a devotee of clams on the half shell. Somehow I was at an event with him where there were clams on the half shell. It was a hot day and we were demolishing plates and plates of them. Someone warned we'd get ill. We didn't and concluded it had to be the hot sauce. Hadn’t seen him in years but we send our condolences to his family. </b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ANDY HORNICK </b></span></span></div><br /><b>I used to go to Andy's Diner with my friends Joe Leonardi, the late Jim Petrie and Wil Toole. I also used to go there with my cousin P.J. Pribula and my sister Sandee. Every time I'd go I'd ask for the same thing for breakfast. Two eggs, one scrambled, one sunny side up. The beleaguered waitress always went back to Andy and ask him if he could do that. Every time he'd come out and explain he never separated egg orders. I never understood the reasoning but he was so cheerful when he was saying no you couldn't be upset. I think it might have been Petrie who said that guy could fire someone and make them think they are doing you a favor. When I'd go for burgers, there would be no special requests from me. He had the best burgers from any diner I ever ate in the area. And it just might be my imagination but it always seemed I always had just a tad more meat on my burger. Most likely my reward for not being a pain in the ass about the eggs. He was a mainstay in Plains and he'll be missed. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LEONARD NIMOY</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>I never watched "Star Trek" as a kid...except when my uncle Joe Pribula came to visit on a Thursday night. A WWII veteran of the Army Air Corps he was fascinated by the show. I saw Star Trek in reruns but never really got the Mr. Spock character until I was dating Mrs. LuLac. I went to the movies, all of them and became a fan. The outpouring of comments when Mr. Nimoy died was a testament to how he crafted the character. I had seen him in a few "Untouchables" episodes but never saw the full scope of his work until looking at his total body of work as a director, author and character. The very fact that his death spanned three news cycles speaks for itself. It is only logical that he will be missed. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LESLEY GORE</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>There were Shelly Fabares guys, Connie Francis guys and Sandra Dee guys. I was a Lesley Gore guy. That came about when I bought one of those 10 packs of 45 rpms (people under 30 google that!!! ) at McGrory's in Wyoming. Stuck in between such gems as "The Big Al Walk" and "National Everybody Hates Me Week" was Lesley Gore's "Maybe I Know". I followed her career and even saw her in concert at the Kirby with Mrs. LuLac in the 80s. Midway through the concert Mrs. LuLac said I should have brought her, Lesley Gore, flowers. Wow!!!! She was a fan too.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Her music pretty much was part of the era of the 60s. She came out in 2005, which for me made her more intriguing, and was related distantly to Al Gore. I mean what was there not to like. It is kind of insane when your first entertainment crush (Noreen Corcoran from Bachelor Father was my other one) dies at the age of 68. But then you hit the old fast forward button and realize you aren’t 11 anymore. At least on some days. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MEDIA MATTERS</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WYLN TV 35 BROADCASTING WILKES-BARRE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE—LIVE!</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>For the fourth year, WYLN35 based in Hazleton, PA and airing throughout the Wilkes-Barre market will broadcast the Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day Parade LIVE.</b><br /><b>The parade coverage will begin 2PM EST Sunday March 15th and rebroadcast several times (check local listings or go to WYLNTV.com for details regarding rebroadcast days/times). </b><br /><b>The televised coverage will be hosted by WYLN35 news personalities: News Anchor, Ann Gownley and Reporter/Topic A host Gary Perna. The station’s Sports Director, Eric DeBerardinis and Sports/Features Reporter, Gabriella Justin will be in the roles of correspondents on the streets. Additional on-air WYLN35 talent will be at the parade behind the cameras, including the station’s Chief Meteorologist, Joe Garbacik.</b><br /><b>Interviews will include this in the parade, spectators, the Mayor of Wilkes-Barre and the parade’s grand marshal. </b><br /><b>WYLN35 serves northeastern PA and can be watched on the following cable and UHF channels:</b><br /><b>Channel 7 </b><br /><b>Service Electric Cablevision Hazleton &amp; Mahanoy City</b><br /><b>Metrocast Berwick</b><br /><b>Service Electric Cable TV &amp; Communications Wilkes-Barre</b><br /><b>Channel 15</b><br /><b>Shen-Heights Television</b><br /><b>UHF Channels</b><br /><b>Channel 5 Williamsport</b><br /><b>Channel 24 East Stroudsburg</b><br /><b>Channel 35 Hazleton</b><br /><b>Channel 47 Berwick</b><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b> </span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUNDAY MAGAZINE </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>This Week on Sunday Magazine</b><br /><b>Brian Hughes speaks with Alyssa Maria from Home Instead Senior Care about keeping seniors safe during the winter months from illnesses and falls.</b><br /><b>Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with representatives of Domestric Violence Service Center about their big "Laugh Out Loud" fundraiser coming up on March 20th at Genetti's in Wilkes Barre.</b><br /><b>An encore of Brian's interview with Ron Davis about next weekend's "Bowl For A Cause" fundraiser at Chacko Lanes in Wilkes Barre to benefit Wyoming Valley Relay For Life.</b><br /><b>This Week in Harrisburg examines reactions from both sides of the political aisle following Governor Tom Wolf's initial budget proposal earlier this week. We'll hear from State Senators John Blake &amp; David Argall &amp; GOP House Speaker Mike Turzai And Republican senators weigh in on the advantages of the natural gas impact fee over Governor Wolf's proposed gas severance tax.</b><br /><b>Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X and Sports Radio 590, WARM, and 6:25am on Magic</b><br /><b>93.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ECTV</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b> <span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></span><b>Laureen Maloney of the Lackawanna County Children's Library will join ECTV Live hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender to discuss both on going and upcoming programs. ECTV Live runs several times daily on Comcast Channel 19 (61 in some areas) The Library program will mark the 256th edition of the Public Affairs program! </b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GOLD BOLD COMMUNITY FORUM</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Our guest will be Bill Lazor, CPA to discuss tax preparation. Jim Riley hosts Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on NEPA's Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.</b><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUDDY RUMCHEK</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!” </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KAREL ON THE STREET</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME</b></span></span></h2></div><b><br /></b> <b>Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our 1965 logo. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhZKutBp-QE/VPkIKd5L_aI/AAAAAAAAV-E/2g-h6prq3Fk/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhZKutBp-QE/VPkIKd5L_aI/AAAAAAAAV-E/2g-h6prq3Fk/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" height="80" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1965</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>The United States Air Force 2d Air Division, United States Navy and Republic of Vietnam Air Force begin a 3½-year aerial bombardment campaign against North Vietnam...The film of The Sound of Music premieres at the Rivoli Theater in New York City...Alabama State Troopers attack 525 civil rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama as they attempt to march to the state capitol of Montgomery....Some 3,500 United States Marines arrive in Da Nang, South Vietnam, becoming the first American ground combat troops in Vietnam....The second attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, under the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr., stops at the bridge that was the site of Bloody Sunday, to hold a prayer service and return to Selma, in obedience to a court restraining order. Later in the day, White supremacists beat up white Unitarian Universalist minister James J. Reeb in Selma……………<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BFhcR362RyE" width="420"></iframe><br />in Pennsylvania Governor Bill Scranton says that the each citizen in the U.S. should have the rights and privileges equally. Scranton ran as a moderate in the 1964 GOP nomination fight and supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964…..in Wilkes Barre Councilwoman Ethel Price shuns any type of talk for County office in the 1965 County races and fifty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey. </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eSnbaPW1Cfw" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2850-march-5th-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-5900522614556042373Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:00 +00002015-03-03T20:26:11.450-05:00The LuLac Edition #2849, March 3rd, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WOLF’S BUDGET</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OX2zMjzM3NU/VPZfGLixJYI/AAAAAAAAV9s/KQzeNKYG04I/s1600/-18054f1ea4324e03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OX2zMjzM3NU/VPZfGLixJYI/AAAAAAAAV9s/KQzeNKYG04I/s1600/-18054f1ea4324e03.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;">WHO’S HOT</span>…..<span style="color: #3d85c6;">WHO’S NOT</span></b></span><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: red;">HOT</span> </span></b></div><b><br /></b> <b>If you break down the proposed budget, there are groups that will make out better than others. </b><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Penn State:</span> Wolf is proposing a nearly 10 per cent increase for state schools. </b><br /><b>Schools: The Governor is asking for 400 million dollars more for basic education increasing that budget to over 6 billion dollars. The question is will more money improve the schools or will we continue to educate less than stellar students in this state? </b><br /><b><span style="color: red;">The Great Outdoors:</span> State Parks, Forests, and stricter enforcement for oil and natural gas wells. </b><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Business:</span> A cut in the corporate profits tax rate from 9.99 percent to 5.99 percent. Also there will be new bond funding to aid in business infrastructure. </b><br /><b>Workers and Farmers: A raise of the minimum wage to nearly ten dollars an hour. An increase in funding to develop programs to promote farming. </b><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Corrections:</span> An increase in money for Corrections and the State Police. </b><br /><b><span style="color: red;">Health Care: </span>Not saying no to the Federal Government Medicaid expansion, and expanded services for seniors. Antoinette Kraus, Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network released the following statement in response to the Governor’s message :</b><br /><i><b>"Governor Wolf's health care proposals, as outlined in his budget, will make our health care system more efficient and remove harmful barriers to care that have jeopardized the health and economic security of Pennsylvania families". </b></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>NOT</b></span></div><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><br /></b> </span><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The state Courts, The Museum Commission, and Libraries </span>will stay stagnant. What is mystifying to me is that Libraries are never funded fully when Education spending increases. Yet it is the Library that is the cornerstone of the community educational system. </b><br /><b>Reaction from the GOP was predictable. Senator Jake Corman said that they could start from scratch. Wolf in his address said it was okay to say no but to come to the table with an idea. He said no idea or saying no would not be helpful. </b><br /><b>Wolf’s budget is ambitious and calls for tax increases on goods and services which will put every taxpayer’s skin in the game. Hopefully there will be relief for property tax owners who have been carrying the burden of paying for education for years. A sales tax will be fair and equitable to everyone from the richest landowner to the person living in public housing. Everyone will pay. Plus the middle class will finally get a break. If a person makes more than $50,000 a year an owns a home, it is conceivable their taxes will go down by 16 percent. </b><br /><b>Wolf was strong in his presentation and has shown a willingness to compromise. Let’s see how the GOP reacts.&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DnvQlC2Vfg/VPZe_dP1D8I/AAAAAAAAV9k/awo-vmi80ao/s1600/aa202cab5b5e1028bc_esm6ibvln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DnvQlC2Vfg/VPZe_dP1D8I/AAAAAAAAV9k/awo-vmi80ao/s1600/aa202cab5b5e1028bc_esm6ibvln.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2849-march-3rd-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-7135012818397732058Tue, 03 Mar 2015 01:31:00 +00002015-03-02T20:31:13.428-05:00The LuLac Edition #2846, March 2nd, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“THE STATESMAN”</span></span> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tT1ZT3cUOI/VPUOZMA3qtI/AAAAAAAAV80/orDLFYTYrrE/s1600/commners1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tT1ZT3cUOI/VPUOZMA3qtI/AAAAAAAAV80/orDLFYTYrrE/s1600/commners1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick O'Malley. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Lackawanna County website).</span></span>&nbsp; </b></div><b>A few people who read my piece on the party for Mayor McNulty wondered why I was referring to former Democratic, Republican and now newly minted Democrat Patrick O’Malley as a “statesman”. O’Malley said it himself in response to a question from a TV reporter. Maybe we’ll see a visit from Jon Meacham who wrote a definitive biographies of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson to sit down with Mr. O’Malley and measure him for a manuscript. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE POLL FOR D.A. </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>There is a telephone poll being conducted in Luzerne County regarding the upcoming District Attorney’s race. The questions focus on the trial experience of current District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis and Luzerne County Attorney Vito DeLucca. </b><br /><b>Then there was a question about the death penalty, the cost of it and whether it should be reformed. </b><br /><b>So as they say in the Horse Racing establishment, “Their off!”. Or as the old PA announcer at Pocono Downs used to say, “Thereeeeeeeeee they gooooooooo”.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WOLF’S BUDGET</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw7YZzLUt4U/VPUOCfg-FqI/AAAAAAAAV8s/U1S1LA7Lxk4/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw7YZzLUt4U/VPUOCfg-FqI/AAAAAAAAV8s/U1S1LA7Lxk4/s1600/untitled.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;Tom Wolf. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Wolf for Governor.) </span></span></b></div><b>So far there has been an embargo of news on Tom Wolf’s Budget Presentation tomorrow but look for what he talked about on the campaign trail. There is word he will be talking about a significant reform in the tax structure. Look for a few surprises as well as a willingness to trade off on a few things. Wolf will be pragmatic, not dogmatic. <br />Coverage begins at 11:00 a.m. on PCN as studio guests Steve Crawford, former Chief of Staff to Gov. Ed Rendell, and David La Torre, former Press Secretary to Gov. Mark Schweiker discuss what goes into preparing the annual budget plan from the governor's office. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CARTWRIGHT STATEMENT ON FURTHER EXPANSION OF BUREAU OF PRISON’S PEPPER SPRAY PILOT PROGRAM</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Congressman Matt Cartwright <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: LuLac archives) </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TB8nEctjxyU/VPUNnWYL-_I/AAAAAAAAV8k/YaUDCM0AfB0/s1600/cartwright%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TB8nEctjxyU/VPUNnWYL-_I/AAAAAAAAV8k/YaUDCM0AfB0/s1600/cartwright%2B002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><b>U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright released the following statement after the U.S. Bureau of Prisons Director Charles Samuels announced the expansion of the Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray Pilot Program to include all staff at all high security and medium prisons, medical centers, detention centers, and jail units. The expansion means that only minimum and low security prisons are the only two facilities where pepper spray is not available to all staff:</b><br /><b>“I applaud the Bureau of Prisons for expanding the OC Spray Pilot Program to protect the men and women that work in our nation’s prisons. </b><br /><b>“In order to ensure greater safety in future years and in future administrations, I introduced the Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015 in January, a bill that would codify the pepper spray program.</b><br /><b>“Overcrowding and understaffing continue to plague our federal prisons, so it is essential that we adequately fund the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that it can perform its mission to rehabilitate inmates without compromising the safety of the many officers who put their lives at risk in achieving this goal.”</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MEDIA MATTERS</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk8v3x-da2Q/VPUNQU_oZrI/AAAAAAAAV8c/5oJ_5bOMO8s/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk8v3x-da2Q/VPUNQU_oZrI/AAAAAAAAV8c/5oJ_5bOMO8s/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><b>WNEP TV’s Sofia Ojeda is heading to Houston. It will be interesting to see who will replace er on the big one one. (Scott Shaffer and Kurt Aaron speak for 11PM. <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo: WNEP.com.). </span></span></b><br /><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-lulac-edition-2846-march-2nd-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-4995715437219235479Sat, 28 Feb 2015 07:37:00 +00002015-02-28T02:51:02.956-05:00The LuLac Edition #2845, February 28th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>McNULTY’S 70th BIRTHDAY BASH </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07mXiTAZOS0/VPFpFaafHZI/AAAAAAAAV5k/96z5WZ7185k/s1600/mccc%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07mXiTAZOS0/VPFpFaafHZI/AAAAAAAAV5k/96z5WZ7185k/s1600/mccc%2B001.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div><b>Last evening in the city he loves and the Radisson Hotel he helped make possible, a beautiful hotel that was an old building destined for the scrap heap, James Barrett McNulty, the 29th Mayor of Scranton was honored on his 70th birthday. The event was a virtual who’s who of politicos in both Scranton and Wilkes Barre. The event also served as a fundraiser for Mr. McNulty and The Foundation for Cancer Care, an all-volunteer “grassroots foundation (that) helps any resident of our area with a cancer diagnosis. </b><br /><b>The place was packed with friends, well wishers, former political foes and plain folks who wanted to extend their good wishes to the Mayor. There were people there of every age enjoying the festivities. The former Mayor made a speech from the second floor balcony of the Hotel flanked by his wife Evie Refalko McNulty, Senator Bob Casey and his wife Terese, State Democratic Chairman Jim Burn and former Heavy Weight Champion of the world Larry Holmes. In his remarks McNulty spoke of how hope and determination can overcome almost any obstacle. </b><br /><b>There were so many people there that I apologize to anyone I left out. But some of the notables attending were Mayor Bill Courtright, former Mayors David Wenzel and Eugene Peters, former County Commissioners Mike Washo and Joe Corcoran, Attorney General Kathleen Kane, Bob Morgan from Congressman Cartwright’s office (Mr. Cartwright might have been there but I kept on getting lost from Mrs. LuLac that she was threatening to get me one of those tether things that parents use for their kids at Disney World,) Thom Welby from State Representative Marty Flynn’s office, the renaissance man of Scranton, Joe Peters, Mitchell Klevan. the husband of Judicial candidate Judge Anne E. Lazarus a candidate for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and Commissioners Jim Wansacz and Pat “The Statesman” O’Malley. </b><br /><b>From the Wilkes Barre and Luzerne County area there was State Representative Mike Carroll, State Senator John Yudichak former Wilkes Barre Mayor Tom McGroarty, State committeeman Tom Shubilla, Political consultant and State Committee resource Bob Caruso, Judge Lesa Gelb and her husband Attorney Barry Dyller, Attorney Bill Vinsko and his wife Paula and a few others I’m sure I missed.</b><br /><b>WNEP TV ran the event as their top story of the night at 11 and WBRE TV had a segment on Pa Live in the afternoon as well as having reporter Andrew Forgotch on the scene. </b><br /><b>Even though he was a one term Mayor of Scranton, McNulty has been a transformative figure in area politics. His campaigns were legendary and changed the way politicians did business as they tried to climb the ladder. McNulty’s legacy is that he was the catalyst of what is now the modern Scranton in terms of its identity. It strikes me that with so many problems facing not only Scranton but all cities maybe we need to get a dose of Mr. McNulty’s storied enthusiasm. It was a great event that brought a city together at just the right time. It’s below zero most days, the snow is piled up, there is the pension situation in the city……………it was about time for a party and the only guy capable of pulling that off was Jim McNulty. Jim McNulty, a man I am so very proud to call a friend. </b><br /><b></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A majority of these photos were taken by Mrs. LuLac. You’ll see the ones I took on my little IPhone.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqSqbOAHFO8/VPFpbAWjpbI/AAAAAAAAV5s/tPdxoliWKtI/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqSqbOAHFO8/VPFpbAWjpbI/AAAAAAAAV5s/tPdxoliWKtI/s1600/048.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What I think is the classic photo of the night, former Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes, Mr. McNulty and the senior Senator from Pennsylvania (as Jim likes to remind us) Bob Casey. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KC1_n6wRq0/VPFp936gzzI/AAAAAAAAV50/quQMFDmb9AU/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KC1_n6wRq0/VPFp936gzzI/AAAAAAAAV50/quQMFDmb9AU/s1600/037.JPG" height="320" width="309" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Less hair, more miles on him but he still has the microphone and the <span style="color: #990000;">red rose.</span> No mistaking who this is at the podium. Or in this case, rail. &nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTC29UJVLIY/VPFqZ5AouuI/AAAAAAAAV58/rytdypV-7wU/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTC29UJVLIY/VPFqZ5AouuI/AAAAAAAAV58/rytdypV-7wU/s1600/023.JPG" height="277" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Senator Bob Casey expounding on Mayor McNulty's legacy. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5o1f5wnI70/VPFquesC4RI/AAAAAAAAV6E/T0NrSmwpErk/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5o1f5wnI70/VPFquesC4RI/AAAAAAAAV6E/T0NrSmwpErk/s1600/041.JPG" height="320" width="224" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>One of Jim McNulty's best decisions, his wife (we men all marry up, let's face it) Evie.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5eNxehe1TWo/VPFrLBXYGtI/AAAAAAAAV6M/wqxayrfPXV0/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5eNxehe1TWo/VPFrLBXYGtI/AAAAAAAAV6M/wqxayrfPXV0/s1600/006.JPG" height="187" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Breaking in the new LuLac camera with Bob Caruso, State Party Chair Jim Burn and your blog editor.&nbsp; There is truth to the rumor that Burn saved the lens from cracking!&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_E3dnCT4xiY/VPFrrmomQ1I/AAAAAAAAV6U/6elBDC--Y1Q/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_E3dnCT4xiY/VPFrrmomQ1I/AAAAAAAAV6U/6elBDC--Y1Q/s1600/013.JPG" height="320" width="231" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joe Peters arriving. Joe has been a mainstay in the area political and media scene.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXcg7LhuF3o/VPFsD-VC07I/AAAAAAAAV6c/NaxYBxlIGGw/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXcg7LhuF3o/VPFsD-VC07I/AAAAAAAAV6c/NaxYBxlIGGw/s1600/010.JPG" height="201" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tom Welby, Iris Liebman and State Representative Mike Carroll.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLZ0d_dlfmg/VPFsWtPUB2I/AAAAAAAAV6k/TXQ1t-P5lnw/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLZ0d_dlfmg/VPFsWtPUB2I/AAAAAAAAV6k/TXQ1t-P5lnw/s1600/015.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Former Mayor David Wenzel holding court at the event with friends.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LrD_BLPP944/VPFs_2oAoxI/AAAAAAAAV6s/9Y4AdJ_t698/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LrD_BLPP944/VPFs_2oAoxI/AAAAAAAAV6s/9Y4AdJ_t698/s1600/photo.JPG" height="265" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Speaking of former Mayors, I was thrilled to meet Eugene Peters who was at the event. Mr. McNulty served as Peters' Deputy Mayor and even when I worked in the media in the 70s, our paths never crossed. His son Joe made it happen. It was an honor.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoMpuDOuNSc/VPFttb-hDeI/AAAAAAAAV60/JXmdiTnzGLg/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoMpuDOuNSc/VPFttb-hDeI/AAAAAAAAV60/JXmdiTnzGLg/s1600/050.JPG" height="233" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Bob Caruso and I huddling about recent and future political developments which I'm sure fascinated the table behind us. Not! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2u3BjXA_ps/VPFuJLBHeBI/AAAAAAAAV68/v5_U8PNgM0g/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2u3BjXA_ps/VPFuJLBHeBI/AAAAAAAAV68/v5_U8PNgM0g/s1600/photo.JPG" height="300" width="320" /></a></b></div><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>While Mrs. LuLac was shooting, I spied the newly registered Democratic Commissioner, Pat "The Statesman" O'Malley circulating his nominating petitions.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1j50yYoLt4/VPFupKlCGsI/AAAAAAAAV7E/q-ltmXErfYI/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1j50yYoLt4/VPFupKlCGsI/AAAAAAAAV7E/q-ltmXErfYI/s1600/047.JPG" height="286" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Is Larry Holmes really that tall? Yes he is. The Champ gave a heart warming speech last night.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJenabOD86w/VPFvFnak0mI/AAAAAAAAV7M/twqa12yEqFo/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJenabOD86w/VPFvFnak0mI/AAAAAAAAV7M/twqa12yEqFo/s1600/055.JPG" height="223" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;It wasn't over Rigatoni and Garlic Bread at La Trot but it was just as interesting as I sat down with the guest of honor last night.&nbsp; </b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></b> </div>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-lulac-edition-2845-february-28th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-5989681466811022508Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:10:00 +00002015-03-02T20:39:39.333-05:00The LuLac Edition #2844, February 26th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-acakRv1lsCE/VO_0K2LCztI/AAAAAAAAV44/klSVy2haqcw/s1600/11025652_10205770211515865_6695956085938564409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-acakRv1lsCE/VO_0K2LCztI/AAAAAAAAV44/klSVy2haqcw/s1600/11025652_10205770211515865_6695956085938564409_n.jpg" height="301" width="320" /></a></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GEgCFhvgvJk" width="420"></iframe><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>OBAMA’S MUSLIM GRANDFATHER HOOD????</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8FMD29vZt4/VO-x0bUvADI/AAAAAAAAV4E/_v_3gukQIwE/s1600/Ann_Dunham_with_father_and_children_(enhanced).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8FMD29vZt4/VO-x0bUvADI/AAAAAAAAV4E/_v_3gukQIwE/s1600/Ann_Dunham_with_father_and_children_(enhanced).jpg" /></a><b></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Your typical Muslim family, hayna?</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Time)</span></span></span></b></div><b><br /></b> <b>Most people wonder why President Obama seems to be skating with Americans when it comes to his policies. The President who in his first term received no cooperation from the GOP won re-election with a majority of the vote. This President is no longer the darling of the Progressive wing of the Democratic party. People like me think he missed an opportunity to ram through his agenda trying to compromise with a party hell-bent on destroying him.</b><br /><b>Today the world is in turmoil. Many blame the President. But the reason he escapes total culpability is because of the comments of the fringe right. You need not tune into Fox News to hear it, just listen to local talk radio. This gem from Wednesday night on WILK Radio. </b><br /><b>The President was raised by a Muslim father and grandfather, therefore he has Muslim tendencies. Here are the facts: </b><br /><b>His mother, Ann Dunham, was born in Wichita, Kansas, and was of mostly English ancestry. His father, Barack Obama, Sr., was a Luo from Nyang’oma Kogelo, Kenya. Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian class at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on scholarship. The couple married in Wailuku on Maui on February 2, 1961, and separated when, in late August 1961, Obama's mother moved with their newborn son to attend the University of Washington in Seattle for one year. In the meantime, Obama, Sr. completed his undergraduate economics degree in Hawaii in June 1962, then left to attend graduate school at Harvard University on a scholarship. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.[ Obama Sr. returned to Kenya in 1964 where he remarried; he visited Barack in Hawaii only once, in 1971. He died in an automobile accident in 1982 when his son was 21 years old.[</b><br /><b>This father ONLY saw his son ONCE. What kind of Muslim influence did he have on the young man? Furthermore the President’s grandfather on his mother’s was a Veteran of World War II. His name was Stanley Armour Dunham and was NOT A MUSLIM! </b><br /><b>Dunham enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army on January 18, 1942, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and served in the European Theatre of World War II with the 1830th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company, Aviation. During D-Day, this unit helped to support the 9th Air Force. Stanley and his brother Ralph were deployed to France six weeks after D-Day. Before the Invasion of Normandy, the Dunhams once met accidentally as Stanley went in search of rations at Hotel Russell in London, where his sibling Ralph happened to be staying.[10] Madelyn gave birth to a daughter they named Stanley Ann, who was later known as Ann, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita on November 29, 1942. During the war, Madelyn Dunham worked on a Boeing B-29 assembly line in Wichita. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Wikipedia.com) </span></span></b><br /><b>The more right wing know nothings scream louder and louder nonsense about this President, the better he looks to Americans. Even one like me who is not crazy about his first term. When I hear people on the radio spout misinformation like that, I’m reminded of the line from my favorite political movie, “The Best Man”. It comes from actor Lee Tracy, who as former President Art Hochstader said to a rival, "I don't object to you being a bastard. It's your being such a stupid bastard that I object to."</b><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WOLF SURPRISES SOME</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcuG2yrYJKs/VO-y00FKJMI/AAAAAAAAV4M/AlOZDc4y-Lw/s1600/wolfie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcuG2yrYJKs/VO-y00FKJMI/AAAAAAAAV4M/AlOZDc4y-Lw/s1600/wolfie.png" height="185" width="320" /></a></div><b>Don’t want to say I told you so but Governor Tom Wolf, a businessman is actually thinking like a businessman trying to develop new, wait for it……..business in Pennsylvania. Wolf unveiled a new business tax reform plan yesterday that, on its face, will ask more companies to shoulder a corporate tax set at lower rates.</b><br /><b>Wolf's plan would drop Pennsylvania's business buzz-killing corporate net income tax rate from 9.99 percent at present to 5.99 percent for 2016, 5.49 percent in 2017 and 4.99 percent in 2018. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(AP) </span></span></b><br /><b>My friend L.A. Tarone expressed surprise but thought it was a good idea. During the campaign, the naysayers said Wolf would be a horrible, inexperienced Governor. They pointed to how Tom Corbett and the GOP were on the side of business and that Wolf was a tool of the unions. (By the way those unions backed Rob McCord in the primary, just ask Jim McNulty, his wife Evie, Bill Vinsko, Mark Noble, Cassandra Coleman, Mike Washo and myself....to name just a few! Wolf is doing what he said he would do…..be an unconventional Governor. As I told one of L.A. Tarone’s callers when I was a guest on his show the last time, “When Wolf’s first term is over, you’ll thank me and others who knew enough that Tom Wolf was and is the guy." </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GOING AFTER OBAMA </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Three men were arrested Wednesday on charges of plotting to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group and wage war against the United States, and federal officials said one of them spoke of shooting President Barack Obama. It seems everyone is after the President in some way shape or form. This week people were also calling for the President’s impeachment. I hope they realize that if the President goes, you get Joe Biden.&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c14QMJFbE2c/VO-zcM61Y7I/AAAAAAAAV4U/nGVRdx92Bc0/s1600/imagesCAFK9JX7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c14QMJFbE2c/VO-zcM61Y7I/AAAAAAAAV4U/nGVRdx92Bc0/s1600/imagesCAFK9JX7.jpg" /></a></div><b>Biden might be regarded by some as a clown but he is a survivor. He is a long time Foreign Policy expert who can lead this county. If you think Biden as Vice President was unabashed, could you imagine him as Presiden!!? I don’t wish any President ill but for those who say they want Obama out, please understand the rules of succession in the Executive Branch. Biden would be your worst nightmare because unlike the more cautious Mr. Obama, Biden would be full speed ahead. One must only look to the issue of gay marriage. The administration was dancing around it until Biden went on national TV and exploded the issue. Behind the big smile and slap on the back camaraderie, Joe Biden is a calculating, seasoned and vicious politician. Be careful what you ask for people.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LUZERNE COUNTY GOP TO HOST LINCOLN DAY BREAKFAST</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmnSo_buzOM/VO-zwP0rMOI/AAAAAAAAV4c/w7Hxe_R6kSo/s1600/FEB-5-Lincoln-Day-Breakfast-2_15_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmnSo_buzOM/VO-zwP0rMOI/AAAAAAAAV4c/w7Hxe_R6kSo/s1600/FEB-5-Lincoln-Day-Breakfast-2_15_14.jpg" height="141" width="320" /></a></div><b>In honor of our nation’s first Republican President, the Republican Party of Luzerne County will host a Lincoln Day Breakfast on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 9:00 AM at the Genetti Hotel and Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre.</b><br /><b>A donation of $20.00 per person is payable at the door.</b><br /><b>All candidates, committee persons, elected officials, and supporters of the Republican Party are invited and welcome to attend.</b><br /><b>RSVP (not required but appreciated) to: Lynette Villano, Breakfast Chairperson @ tlvgop@gmail.com or by calling 570-654-6567 or wcuesq@yahoo.com.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MEDIA MATTERS</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WYLN TV 35 BROADCASTING WILKES-BARRE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE—LIVE!</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>For the fourth year, WYLN35 based in Hazleton, PA and airing throughout the Wilkes-Barre market will broadcast the Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day Parade LIVE.</b><br /><b>The parade coverage will begin 2PM EST Sunday March 15th and rebroadcast several times (check local listings or go to WYLNTV.com for details regarding rebroadcast days/times). </b><br /><b>The televised coverage will be hosted by WYLN35 news personalities: News Anchor, Ann Gownley and Reporter/Topic A host Gary Perna. The station’s Sports Director, Eric DeBerardinis and Sports/Features Reporter, Gabriella Justin will be in the roles of correspondents on the streets. Additional on-air WYLN35 talent will be at the parade behind the cameras, including the station’s Chief Meteorologist, Joe Garbacik.</b><br /><b>Interviews will include this in the parade, spectators, the Mayor of Wilkes-Barre and the parade’s grand marshal. </b><br /><b>WYLN35 serves northeastern PA and can be watched on the following cable and UHF channels:</b><br /><b>Channel 7 </b><br /><b>Service Electric Cablevision Hazleton &amp; Mahanoy City</b><br /><b>Metrocast Berwick</b><br /><b>Service Electric Cable TV &amp; Communications Wilkes-Barre</b><br /><b>Channel 15</b><br /><b>Shen-Heights Television</b><br /><b>UHF Channels</b><br /><b>Channel 5 Williamsport</b><br /><b>Channel 24 East Stroudsburg</b><br /><b>Channel 35 Hazleton</b><br /><b>Channel 47 Berwick</b><br /><b><br /></b> <span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUNDAY MAGAZINE </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>This Week on Sunday Magazine</b><br /><b>Brian Hughes speaks with Dr. Matthew Dudoff from UCLA about Heart Health.</b><br /><b>Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Amanda Markajini from the Northeast Regional Cancer Center &amp; Dr. Tom Novinger from Blue Cross about the 12th Annual Casual Day to raise awareness of Colon Cancer.</b><br /><b>And an encore of Brian's interview with Chris Seper from Med City to discuss the nationwide Measles epidemic.</b><br /><b>Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am</b><br /><b>on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X &amp; Sports Radio 590, WARM &amp; 6:25am on Magic 93</b><br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ECTV</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5WvA94spkM/VPF2RInKQAI/AAAAAAAAV7c/1ADab1zznNU/s1600/DAY%2BST%2BPAT%27S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5WvA94spkM/VPF2RInKQAI/AAAAAAAAV7c/1ADab1zznNU/s1600/DAY%2BST%2BPAT'S.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Jamie Hailstone joins ECTV Hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender during the week of March 2nd to unveil plans for this year's Saint Patrick's Parade in Scranton! The Parade is scheduled for March 14th. Hailstone is one of the volunteer committee people who work to make Scranton's Parade one of the biggest in the Country. ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast Cable Channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is broadcast several times a day throughout the week. </b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GOLD BOLD COMMUNITY FORUM</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>This week's guest is Rich Bradshaw from Ronald McDonald House in Scranton. He'll discuss new facilities and the upcoming Gourmet Gala. Jim Riley hosts Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on NEPA Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400 am and 100.7 fm; and at 7:40 on 105 The River </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUDDY RUMCHEK</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!” </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KAREL ON THE STREET</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our 1965 logo. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84eVPhYVe7E/VO-0PphES5I/AAAAAAAAV4o/Xu-XEu2kcd0/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84eVPhYVe7E/VO-0PphES5I/AAAAAAAAV4o/Xu-XEu2kcd0/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" height="80" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1965</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>A new, revised, color production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella airs on CBS. Lesley Ann Warren makes her TV debut in the title role. The show becomes an annual tradition….The Sound of Music premieres at the Rivoli Theater in New York City….. US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site...USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakh/Semipalitinsk USSR…….in Pennsylvania Senator Hugh Scott says that he will be one of those lawmakers who will be sympathetic to the cause o black Americans marching in Alabama for the right to vote…..in Hazleton broadcaster Victor Diehm says he might run for the Senate seat in the new 14th Senatorial District in 1966…..and fifty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Ferry Across the Mersey" by Gerry and the Pacemakers. (</b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/08083BNaYcA" width="420"></iframe>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-lulac-edition-2844-february-26th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-8618186019479195188Wed, 25 Feb 2015 01:19:00 +00002015-02-24T20:19:26.433-05:00The LuLac Edition #2843, February 24th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KRISTI CAPEL</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVhMD63VmR4/VO0hdzPteTI/AAAAAAAAV3k/S-z-wL5wI8M/s1600/KristiCapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVhMD63VmR4/VO0hdzPteTI/AAAAAAAAV3k/S-z-wL5wI8M/s1600/KristiCapel.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kristi Capel.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"> (Photo: LuLac archives). </span></span></b></div><b>Well I’m sure you’ve all heard the news about former WBRE TV weatherperson Kristi Capel making a rather questionable remark on Fox TV in Cleveland. In an exchange that was supposed to be complimentary to Lady Ga Ga and her performance at The Oscars, Capel referred to some of her music with a racial slur. </b><br /><b>A few observations here. I think that this is a case of not having the type of institutional knowledge that one must have to be in the Media. This term has been around for years. At some point Capel must have heard it but it did not register as a slur. When I was growing up, I’d hear all type of crazy things coming out of my father’s co workers mouth’s concerning baseball players. It was usually complimentary regarding their athletic skills followed by a term that is not acceptable in society today. That began to change in the 60s. </b><br /><b>The musical “Hair” featured a song in which the slur Kapel used was featured. Albeit it was sung by a man of color but was there nonetheless. I’m not sure that might have been covered in a Communications class because we are still afraid to talk about race in this country. But if you had any sense of history or culture, you’d know the term was questionable.</b><br /><b>That said, in the heat of a TV moment, things happen. The list is very long of people who made comments they should not have. Al Campanis of the Dodgers, Howard Cosell, etc. Stuff happens on live TV. When I first started in broadcasting in the mid 1970s I did a few shows on WVIA TV. Live. The last one I did was in 1979. </b><br /><b>As many of you know in the last 9 years I have done thing live with WYOU TV, WYLN TV and WBRE. When I first went on WYOU, I was terrified because it was live. It didn’t help that I heard a camera guy say, “Make it good, there are only 29 counties watching this!” My experience and talents pale in comparison to many established people. But there is always an element of danger in live TV. Plus it doesn’t have to be a term, it could be a story. Look no further than Brian Williams. You are expected to think quick and cogently. Sometimes in the recesses of your mind something will come out. That’s what happened here. </b><br /><b>Not to totally defend Kapel here but Lady Ga Ga has been all over the place musically the last few years. Recently (and I give credit to her association with Tony Bennett) she has taken a different bent. Not blaming the performer here but just pointing that out. </b><br /><b>The incident spurred a debate about how the media used the word. WILK seems to have come under fire for using the term as a point of reference. There are those who say they were using it to increase ratings. C’mon. People don’t stare at the radio and listen anymore like The Waltons. They are moving and can’t catch any reference. They are doing their job to inform. </b><br /><b>On institutional knowledge I believe that people in the media have the responsibility to become more historically rounded. I say that from the perspective of a person who lived through eras that I learned about out of curiosity. But I also say that from the viewpoint of a person who is blessed to work with a group of talented twenty somethings in my current position. It is because of them that I know more about what pop culture is in this generation. Sometimes I make the effort, other times I get it by osmosis. But it does come. But this generation of which Kapel is a part of is at least on the surface color blend. </b><br /><b>Finally this has to go down as a generational faux pas. Kapel I believe had no idea that it was a slur. The board operator at WILK had no idea it was a slur either as he readily admitted that this morning. That is good and bad. Bad in the sense that perhaps a slur should have been on their radar to prevent a mistake. But in a way it is good that this new generation born after the Civil Rights struggles of the 60s has not been exposed to the ugliness that permeated the time of my childhood.</b><br /><b>Three is a wonderful song in the movie and play “South Pacific”. It is called “You’ve Got To Be Taught To Hate”. I don’t think Kapel’s comment was taught. It just happened. Let’s move on. </b><br /><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WOLF: THE ESTEEM BOOSTER</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s17D4ivJ6R0/VO0i_2CQ77I/AAAAAAAAV3w/qgFbK8tH2EQ/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s17D4ivJ6R0/VO0i_2CQ77I/AAAAAAAAV3w/qgFbK8tH2EQ/s1600/untitled.png" height="113" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Candidate Tom Wolf at a campaign stop with then State Representative Phyllis Mundy and your blog editor. <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo: LuLac archives). </span></span></b></div><b>Tom Wolf had some comments directed at him today for his declaration that Pennsylvania has an inferiority complex. Many people weighed in on this as if this was the first time he ever uttered those words. </b><br /><b>During the last campaign I attended a dozen Tom Wolf events. At every stop he said that Pennsylvania has to do some chest thumping and be proud of our location and our resources. He’s right. We do need to get out there and promote our strengths. Do we honestly believe people are any smarter or talented in Texas, Massachusetts, (please) or the South? </b><br /><b>Look at this area. All the stuff we have here, Steamtown, the renovation of the old train station into what is now The Radisson , The Stadium, The Arena, Triple A Baseball The Kirby, the common denominator was that we were told by the naysayers they would never work. </b><br /><b>What was easier everywhere else in America was a struggle here. There’s a reason for that. We think we suck. We think we don’t deserve this stuff. Not all but a negative segment of people that drag us down. Wolf should not have been criticized for his remarks, he should have been thanked. Again. </b><br /><br /><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-lulac-edition-2843-february-24th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-7310782578039724802Tue, 24 Feb 2015 01:00:00 +00002015-02-23T20:04:01.010-05:00The LuLac Edition #2842, February 23rd, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MULLERY TALKS UP PROPERTY TAX ELIMINATION </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2-luVkXq_c/VOvLifn5-jI/AAAAAAAAV3E/jBtrQBPeDD8/s1600/527286_10150794595717577_596312576_11624035_1582040011_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2-luVkXq_c/VOvLifn5-jI/AAAAAAAAV3E/jBtrQBPeDD8/s1600/527286_10150794595717577_596312576_11624035_1582040011_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>State Representative Gerry Mullery. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: LuLac archives).</span></span> </b></div><b>State Representative Gerry Mullery is taking it to the streets. The State Representative from the 119th District is urging area taxpayers to push for the elimination of school property taxes. The bill would eliminate school property taxes and increase the Sales and Use Tax and Personal Income Tax. The sales tax would be increased by 1 percent while the personal income tax would be increased to 1.24 percent.&nbsp; </b><br /><b>Mullery said that citizens should “make calls and send emails” to state representatives to support the bill. It’s called The Tax Independence Act, also known as HB/SB 76. This bill would give relief to property owners that have been burdened with huge taxes over the years. There are times when one wonders if it is worth it to have property. Mullery asked taxpayers to find out who voted against the last bill introduced in 2013 (it went down to defeat 138 to 59). </b><br /><b>Mullery’s plea is extraordinary because he is saying that there has to be a better way of financing education in Pennsylvania. Mullery made his remarks at a meeting in Wilkes Barre Township last week. </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>UPDATE:</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">JIM MCNULTY’S <span style="color: blue;">70TH</span> BIRTHDAY PARTY/FUNDRAISER, FRIDAY, FEB. 27</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pW210lDj2b8/VOvN-a8zV7I/AAAAAAAAV3U/swjR80JxJyE/s1600/mcnulty%2B0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pW210lDj2b8/VOvN-a8zV7I/AAAAAAAAV3U/swjR80JxJyE/s1600/mcnulty%2B0002.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Jim Mcnulty, circa 1980. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: LuLac archives).</span></span> </b></div><b>The committee and guest list for the Friday, Feb. 27, community celebration of James Barrett McNulty’s 70th birthday party/fundraiser are growing.</b><br /><b>Jim reports that the event has some new honorary chairs. U.S. Rep. Matt and Marion Munley Cartwright are joining U.S. Sen. Bob and Terese Casey in that role, he said. And, Scranton’s good will ambassador and mayor of mirth and merriment, says former heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes and former Penn State Quarterback and Oakland Raider Matt McGloin have been added to the “who’s coming” list. They and all the former Scranton mayor’s friends are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, drinks and dancing to Kenny McGraw’s Brass &amp; Ivory Orchestra.</b><br /><b>The Foundation for Cancer Care, an all-volunteer “grassroots foundation (that) helps any resident of our area with a cancer diagnosis” is assisting. The foundation provides financial assistance for medical supplies, gives gas cards for transportation to and from treatments, provides grocery cards for cancer patients, and accepts donations, “100 percent” of which go to cancer patients, said Margo Opsasnick , its president.</b><br /><b>Donation checks can be sent to the Foundation for Cancer Care, Jim McNulty’s Birthday Bash for Cancer, 236 Penn Ave., 2nd Floor, Scranton PA 18503, Margo said.</b><br /><b>Jim, who is battling late-stage colon cancer, wants to see as many of his friends at the party as possible. So, well-wishers headed to the birthday party/fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel will be admitted by a birthday card — with just wishes and/or monetary gifts enclosed.</b><br /><b>For details on underwriting and sponsorship, call committee member Todd O’Malley’s office at 570-344-2667.</b><br /><br />http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-lulac-edition-2842-february-23rd.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-7131394288922319936Sun, 22 Feb 2015 01:37:00 +00002015-02-22T22:48:53.797-05:00The LuLac Edition #2841, February 21st, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MAYBE I’M AMAZED </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdiS6Syb9Fc/VOkyKjnYDkI/AAAAAAAAV20/4tfgoY96NAA/s1600/maybe%2Bi%27m%2Bamazed%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdiS6Syb9Fc/VOkyKjnYDkI/AAAAAAAAV20/4tfgoY96NAA/s1600/maybe%2Bi'm%2Bamazed%2B001.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our “Maybe I’m Amazed” logo </b></div><b><br /></b> <b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>……..that I know that the Hugo Selenski saga is not over. Now Hugo is saying his lawyer was not very competent. Keep in mind that the trials were delayed because he did not like those lawyers from the past or because he wanted to conduct his own defense. As much as I hate to say it, he’ll still be news. He is this century’s George Banks. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…..that just less than 18 months before the 2016 Presidential election the Democrats are trying to define who they are. In a meeting yesterday Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear stated "I am here to tell you the Democratic Party has lost its way. The problems are not with the "party's core beliefs, but our inability to convey our principles to the American people in a precise, concise and passionate way." This is very true. The problem is the Democrats never messaged the good things the administration did and they ran away from items that are actually benefiting the Middle Class. For me the biggest boneheaded play by the White House was to delay action on immigration. That cost them the votes of the key Hispanic demographic who has no problem sitting out an election or going over to the other side. The Dems should take a page out of Ronald Reagan’s book. Enunciate three key things you stand for. Then bring back the Clinton era “Truth Squads” to go after the ridiculous lies being told by the national GOP. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>……that a cat went into a Turkey Hill to rob it on Hazle Street in Wilkes Barre the other night. When told the store had no money, he opted for some Newports. From what I hear even packs of cigarettes are pricey. Kind of reminds me of the old days in Siberia where tea was used as currency. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…at the harping surrounding Paul McCartney’s performance at the Saturday Night Live anniversary the other night. McCartney is past 70 and can no longer hit those high notes. Perhaps he might have chosen something other than “Maybe I’m Amazed” <span style="color: purple;"><i>(ironic isn’t it??)</i></span> but he’s the one who makes the choice. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>….at the fuss being made over Vice President Joe Biden whispering in the ear of the new Defense Secretary’s wife. Biden is just that type of guy. He is in stark contrast to the former Vice President Dick Cheney. I wonder was there ever a Vice President that anyone was ever happy with? </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…..that WARM that storied radio station turns 75 this year. Look for some neat historical pieces on our other blog 590 FOREVER WARM next month. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…..that people all of a sudden think it is a big deal that Wal Mart is raising wages for its workers. They literally had to be shamed into it and if not for a Democratic administration this would never have happened. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED…</span>…that the Lackawanna County Democrats are thinking of naming Joe Corcoran the interim Commissioner replacing outgoing Corey <i>“Don’t sing <span style="color: #0b5394;">THE BLUES</span>” for me”</i> O’Brien. Didn’t Corcoran land a state gig? Corcoran was the County Treasurer and then went on to serve 24 years in the Commissioners chair. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…….that the planet Saturn has a lower density than water. The planet would float if you placed it in water. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED</span>…..that A Rod has asked forgiveness again. The question remains is will he be a factor in the Yankees 2015 season or will he be ignored? The Yanks need a bat and if he can hit, get your money’s worth I say. I have a feeling he may be released but I can be wrong on that one. </b><br /><b><span style="color: purple;">MAYBE I’M AMAZED…</span>…at just how quaint TV commercials were when I was a kid. When you see these reality shows, the awards shows where everyone is tongue tangling, you kind of get a nostalgic feeling watching this old Life Buoy ad. The married couple’s lips barely meet square on and from the reports I’ve read, both parties were sober at the time of taping. Oh well, it was the time of separate beds on Donna Reed, Dick Van Dyke and Lucy. </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5fdFmF1oBs" width="420"></iframe>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-lulac-edition-2841-february-21st.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785948.post-648722941876170991Fri, 20 Feb 2015 02:42:00 +00002015-02-20T18:22:29.082-05:00The LuLac Edition #2840, February 19th, 2015<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LEIGHTON BOWS OUT</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qs63psn1agA/VOac9g3NwyI/AAAAAAAAV2M/9TEpmhgsJTw/s1600/imagesCACP15WU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qs63psn1agA/VOac9g3NwyI/AAAAAAAAV2M/9TEpmhgsJTw/s1600/imagesCACP15WU.jpg" /></a></div><b>Mayor Tom Leighton a few years ago with your blog editor at a downtown event. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: LuLac archives). </span></span></b></div><b>This afternoon this announcement came from Mr. Leighton indicating his intentions regarding this year's Mayoral election.&nbsp; It may come as a surprise to a few people.However in future editions we'll write about the vacuum left by this announcement. </b><br /><b>In February 2003, I was proud to announce that I would be a candidate for Mayor of Wilkes-Barre city. In doing so, I knew the serious challenges that I faced when elected as Mayor, such as the fiscal issues, the infrastructure problems, equipment and city owned equipment and property in need of immediate replacement and repair, along with a depleted police department that needed immediate attention. The past 11+ years have been a tremendous experience for me while leading a great city during a serious recession which affected the entire nation. </b><br /><b>I made a commitment when I campaigned and became Mayor that the city would return to fiscal responsibility and that I would make difficult decisions in order to accomplish that. We have satisfied the approximately $10.8 million dollars of unfunded debt that my administration inherited and have restored the credit rating to an A - Positive Outlook. The city had no credit rating in 2004. By restoring the credit rating, with the assistance of City Council members who supported our financial restructuring, we have saved our taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. There have been many projects that certain members of City Council have supported and I thank them for that. </b><br /><b>There were many places to start at the beginning of my first term. The revitalization was foremost with many people requesting that we start right in the heart of our city, the downtown. With so much to do and so little money, many days were spent in Washington DC and Harrisburg meeting with federal and state officials to request and work on getting grant funding. Many cities were in the same fiscal position, making competition challenging and fierce. The city went with solid goals, plans, and specifications which gained the attention that was needed to secure adequate funding. There are so many to thank from each level of government, but first would be former Governor Ed Rendell, who shared the same vision as we did for urban downtowns, former State Representative Kevin Blaum and now Eddie Day Pashinski, along with current Senator John Yudichak, have been of great assistance. Congressman Paul Kanjorski shared our vision of rebuilding our city, as well, along with Senators Bob Casey, Arlen Spector, and Rick Santorium. </b><br /><b>I have been fortunate to have very talented professional administrators work with me throughout my time as your Mayor. My senior staff hit the ground running and has never stopped. The work and positive attitude from the senior staff to department head to all of the city employees resulted in so many good projects and moments for our city. My sincere thanks go to each and every one of them.</b><br /><b>I have been criticized by a few that I have neglected the neighborhoods. This criticism comes from individuals who clearly have not paid attention to what has transformed in the neighborhoods the past 11 years. The Pine Ridge and Courtright Street housing developments have removed years of slum and blight from the their neighborhoods. The Coal Street Park, which was a complete embarrassment with crime, vandalism, and neglect, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility with two great tenants and a recreational facility that has enhanced the economic market for our city. The city has built new playgrounds and repaired many that were in poor condition. The city and my administration have invested the following dollar amounts in each of the following neighborhood districts:</b><br /><b>District A$18,152,250.00</b><br /><b>District B$12,276,750.00</b><br /><b>District C$16,145,650.00</b><br /><b>District D$28,655,550.00</b><br /><b>District E$10,563,760.00</b><br /><b>Total Neighborhood Investments:$85,793,960.00</b><br /><b>Based on the work completed and the work which is planned for 2015, the neighborhoods were and always be the focus of my administration. </b><br /><b>My administration heard the pleas for more police presence and has responded by immediately hiring more police officers in my first term and throughout my time as Mayor. The city has upgraded the police cruisers and equipment, DPW equipment and fire equipment in a timely manner so that the safety of our employees and residents would not be compromised.</b><br /><b>There have been many long days, nights, and weeks the last 11+ years and so many people to thank. I want to personally thank all of my supporters who have been with me since 1991 and those that have joined my campaign along the way. I’d like to thank my family - my mother, Nancy, and my late father, Jack, who always taught me to believe that anything can be accomplished with hard work; my sister, Patti and brothers John, Brian, and Patrick, who all have been very supportive throughout the years; my children, Kelly, Tom, Jr., and Courtney, they always knew that I would be there for them and they certainly have always been there for me; my wife, Patty, who supported me from the very beginning, giving birth to Courtney approximately 10 days before my first election in 1991, along with taking care of Kelly and Tom, Jr. during the initial campaign. Patty has been a solid foundation for me as a wife, mother, and friend during some difficult times over the years with city flooding, snow storms and everyday issues. My family’s support the past 12 years has been nothing less that tremendous.</b><br /><b>I believe that today I am as proud as I was 12 years ago when I announced my plans to seek the office of Mayor and when I was inaugurated on January 5, 2004. I am extremely proud of my administration’s accomplishments and today announce that I will not be seeking a fourth term for the Office of Mayor of Wilkes-Barre.</b><br /><b>Thank you and I Believe…..</b><br /><b>Mayor Tom Leighton</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>OBAMA’S WORDS: GOOD</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HOW ABOUT THE ACTION? </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>President Obama has abandoned some of his restrained language regarding ISIS. For the first time the President said the militants masquerade as religious leaders but are really terrorists. Finally. There has been a lot of semantics on ISIS and their actions when really there should not have been. Plus the President has to stop this silliness about how young militant Muslims need a better opportunity in life to succeed. Wow! You can’t fix the social ills of a country or region when young people are being recruited to kill us. Sorry, it doesn’t add up. I understand what he is trying to tell us…but there is no rationale for it in countries that are still longing for the good old days of the 7th century. Obama said we aren’t at war with Islam but those who pervert that religion. Again, semantics. It would be very nice to compartmentalize these issues but the sheer terror of ISIS is not making that possible. Did we dither about what ills the poor German youth were exposed to as they were recruited by the Nazis in WWII? Plus rehashing the history of past terrorist organizations just won’t cut it. The threat is ISIS and the threat is now. </b><br /><b>The President and this country need to build a coalition of various stripes and beliefs and come after ISIS. This coalition needs to be from the Middle East consisting of countries that are in immediate danger from ISIS. Let’s start with Turkey and then take advantage of Egypt and Jordan’s aggressiveness. We should not judge who our allies are, we should use them and their ground troops to stop this threat. Again, going back to WWII, Stalin was a dictator but we needed him to beat back the ultimate threat. We can’t thread the needle on this thing. </b><br /><b>President Obama’s statement was a start and his meeting will bear fruit. But the gloves need to come off and we need to track down these murdering savages. There will be collateral damage. There already has been with Americans being beheaded. It is war, there are casualties. </b><br /><b>We cannot apply western values to ISIS or even people in the Mid East. What we have to do is get into this for the long haul. This will be like a NATO like force that policed Germany after WWII. This is long term and there is no way we can fight ISIS with jobs. We fight them with force, bullets and fierce determination that their type of interpretation of the Muslim religion is a bastardizaton and an attack against all humanity. Unless you take the tact that ISIS is really the Muslim religion and that they are following the basic tenants of the violence that was part of that religion years ago. The common sense thing to do is not to squash the hearts, but eliminate the minds that control the terror. You can only do that with a bullet to the head. Over and over again. With as many unseemly allies as we need. However long it takes. With every body. The President’s words were a start but now we need to work with the world. But we need to be careful. We have to make sure we are part of the coalition, not leading it. The U.S. can’t be all over the place either. We can’t have one segment of the administration talking about the poor children of underdeveloped Muslim economies, we need to be speaking of poor children in the Mideast violated by ISIS. It is a fine balance, we can’t be dragged into Armageddon because this is what ISIS is crazy enough to want. We have to have a smart, balanced plan that will for once be in our own best interests as well as those who will fight with us. If this administration can’t or won’t do it, the next one will. Plus the American people need to know and understand this not like a 6 week mini series, it is without exaggeration the way this current century’s history will be shaped. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Celebrating with Mayor McNulty </b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Former Scranton Mayor James Barrett McNulty will be 70 on Feb. 27, and he’s planning to celebrate with as many of his friends as possible.</b><br /><b>Those friends are represented by a committee that includes, honorary chairmen U.S. Sen. Bob and Terese Casey, as well as Jimmy Barrett, Brenda Bistocchi, Brian Cali, Tracy Doherty, Eleanor Kerrigan, Todd O’Malley and Chuck Volpe, with an assist from Jim’s wife, Evie Rafalko McNulty, in planning “A Community Celebration of James Barrett McNulty’s 70th Birthday,” which is both a party, and a fundraiser.</b><br /><b>Jim is battling late stage colon cancer. As any family fighting the cancer fight knows, there are many expenses beyond what insurance covers.</b><br /><b>Get yourself a nice birthday card for the ex Mayor, throw something in it and join many people next Friday February 27th at The Radison. Event starts at 6pm. Who will close it down…….no one can say for sure!!! </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WOLF COMES TO TOWN </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWjIEeSMThA/VOabtsT_-9I/AAAAAAAAV2E/9cwR9dxwiOs/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWjIEeSMThA/VOabtsT_-9I/AAAAAAAAV2E/9cwR9dxwiOs/s1600/image.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></div><b>Governor Wolf in Wilkes Barre. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: Citizen’s Voice). </span></span></b></div><b>Tom Wolf came to Coughlin High School announcing his education policies and even dropping in on a biology class. Wolf called his program the Education Reinvestment Act,”. The plan would levy a severance tax on natural gas extraction and use the money to boost education spending. Let’s hope if that happens it will decrease property taxes. If Wolf could get behind a plan with GOP legislators to decrease property taxes in exchange for this tax, he might score a big win in his first year. His current proposal is a tax of 5 percent on the market value of the gas which he expects could generate 1 billion dollars. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>JEB MAKES HIS PLAY </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVPXicb2pu8/VOaYvhdyQcI/AAAAAAAAV1k/8YveVAx1Cyk/s1600/fa0caa79eee6da11af9f0014c2589dfb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVPXicb2pu8/VOaYvhdyQcI/AAAAAAAAV1k/8YveVAx1Cyk/s1600/fa0caa79eee6da11af9f0014c2589dfb.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div><b>The Brothers Bush, George W and Jeb. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Photo: AOL.com) </span></span></b></div><b>This week Jeb Bush the former Governor of Florida made a strategic move that most likely will serve him well with moderate voters. Bush saying that he loved both his father and brother opined that mistakes were made in Iraq and the Mideast. He did praise the surge that George W. conducted (with the urging of Senator McCain) and said that the Obama Foreign Policy has left the United States less influential in the world. Bush said he will be his own man and will come to his own conclusions. </b><br /><b>Bush is doing something politically smart. He is distancing himself from the mistakes of 41, and 43 but leveling heavy criticism on 44. Bush most likely will be the GOP nominee mainly because he seems to straddle the middle that the GOP so desperately needs in a General Election. I had some doubts until I heard my friend L.A. Tarone on WILK the other night when he said that he wasn’t comfortable with Bush as the nominee. That seals it. Bush-Walker, 2016. </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>LUZERNE COUNTY GOP TO HOST LINCOLN DAY BREAKFAST</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_4X9sD21nw/VOadcg7ENQI/AAAAAAAAV2U/rCDo4ONfaQE/s1600/FEB-5-Lincoln-Day-Breakfast-2_15_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_4X9sD21nw/VOadcg7ENQI/AAAAAAAAV2U/rCDo4ONfaQE/s1600/FEB-5-Lincoln-Day-Breakfast-2_15_14.jpg" height="141" width="320" /></a></div><b>In honor of our nation’s first Republican President, the Republican Party of Luzerne County will host a Lincoln Day Breakfast on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 9:00 AM at the Genetti Hotel and Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre.</b><br /><b>A donation of $20.00 per person is payable at the door.</b><br /><b>All candidates, committee persons, elected officials, and supporters of the Republican Party are invited and welcome to attend.</b><br /><b>RSVP (not required but appreciated) to: Lynette Villano, Breakfast Chairperson @ tlvgop@gmail.com or by calling 570-654-6567 or wcuesq@yahoo.com. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MEDIA MATTERS </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MIKE REMISH </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-051dfArMPWc/VOaYZHNXPwI/AAAAAAAAV1c/VuXsEELkki4/s1600/athletes%2Bscranton%2Bedu.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-051dfArMPWc/VOaYZHNXPwI/AAAAAAAAV1c/VuXsEELkki4/s1600/athletes%2Bscranton%2Bedu.gif" height="198" width="320" /></a></div><b>Promotional piece from Scranton University featuring Mike Remish.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: red;"> (Photo: athletesscranton.edu) </span></span></b></div><b>I never met Mike Remish in person but felt as if I knew him. Remish was the color man in the initial broadcasts of the Wilkes Barre Scranton Red Barons. When Triple A baseball came to LuLac land, there were many rooting for it to succeed. However this being who we are and where we live there were many saying it wouldn’t work. Remish was one of the early pioneers of the Triple A gospel. Local Media in sports reporting always led with the Barons for the first three years. Remish was constantly touting the team in his regular broadcast job with WWDL and WICK/WYCK AM. </b><br /><b>Remish touched the lives of thousands of high school athletes by broadcasting hundreds of high school football and high school basketball games. Remish also was the cornerstone of the great St. Patrick’s Day broadcasts on WWDL and now The River called “Kilarney Kapers”. He was 68, a great voice and a good man. He will be missed. </b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUNDAY MAGAZINE </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>This Week on Sunday Magazine</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Brian Hughes speaks with Michael Boyd from the "Reading Terminal At The Mall at Steamtown" group about their plans to revitalize the troubled downtown Scranton mall.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Magic 93''s Frankie in the Morning speaks with Tonya Oliviani about Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeast Pa's "Bowl For Kids Sake" fundraiser coming up at the end of March.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>And an encore of Brian's interview with Stephanie Wissman from API Pennsylvania about the future of Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X &amp; Sports Radio 590, WARM &amp; 6:25am on Magic 93.</b></div><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ECTV</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scTl2QTEIZI/VOaZLRbNprI/AAAAAAAAV1s/jrGPQJ25FEM/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scTl2QTEIZI/VOaZLRbNprI/AAAAAAAAV1s/jrGPQJ25FEM/s1600/untitled.png" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><b>ECTV Live hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender will be looking forward to signs of Spring as the program airs the week of February 23rd. Their guest will be Sarah Elizabeth Donahue who will be outlining plans for the 2nd annual Saint Patrick's Parade in Pittston. ECTV Live is broadcast on Comcast Cable channel 19 (61 in some areas) and can be seen several times each day throughout the week. Goggle ectv schedule for approximate air times. </b><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GOLD BOLD COMMUNITY FORUM</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUDDY RUMCHEK</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!” </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KAREL ON THE STREET</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME</b></span></h2></div><b>Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.</b><br /><b><br /></b> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our 1965 logo. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZK6U5jvpqsE/VOaZ_8hyPGI/AAAAAAAAV14/2Ce5Xm7ro0A/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZK6U5jvpqsE/VOaZ_8hyPGI/AAAAAAAAV14/2Ce5Xm7ro0A/s1600/1965%2B001.jpg" height="80" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1965</b></span></span></div><b><br /></b> <b>Joan Rivers makes her Tonight Show debut……………Ranger 8 crashes into the Moon, after a successful mission of photographing possible landing sites for the Apollo program astronauts…… A new, revised, color production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella airs on CBS. Lesley Ann Warren makes her TV debut in the title role. The show becomes an annual tradition…….African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X is assassinated in New York City…………</b><br /><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-uoKbUB6UVc" width="420"></iframe><br /></b> <b>in Pennsylvania Governor Scranton tours sites for State Parks as his program to develop them comes to fruition……..in Scranton Mayor Bill Schmidt announces he will run for re-election. Schmidt is the first Republican in a generation to hold that office and fifty years ago today the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Eight Days A Week” by the Beatles which debuted from the number 39 position to number 1. </b><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vs5qsk0pc6Y" width="420"></iframe>http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-lulac-edition-2840-february-19th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Yonki)10